The Federal Government has reversed its initial stance on the shooting of a Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officer near a Chinese company in Niger State, clarifying that the officer was not deliberately targeted.
The update came on Friday following further investigations into the incident.
In a statement issued by Babatunde Alao, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Interior, the government disclosed that the officer was struck by a stray bullet.
“The officer was hit by a stray bullet that was neither shot on the order of the Chinese company nor its employee,” Alao said, dispelling earlier assumptions linking the company to the incident.
“The Federal Government has since launched a comprehensive investigation in collaboration with other security agencies to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting. This is to unravel the detailed circumstances surrounding the shooting while giving assurance that anyone found culpable will be brought to book,” the statement read.
The Minister of Interior, according to the statement, reiterated his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the safety, dignity, and professional integrity of all law enforcement officers in the country. The government also emphasized its continued support for law-abiding businesses operating in Nigeria, including foreign entities.
“The Minister reaffirms the Ministry of Interior’s dedication to fostering strong partnerships with foreign nationals, aiming to build sustainable collaboration for socio-economic development,” Alao added.
