The Bayelsa State Police Command has denied claims that one of its men shot and killed a boy in the Ovom area of the state.

However, there was pandemonium in the area as a policeman attached to the Command, Thursday, allegedly shot and killed a boy.

The Command claims the deceased was a suspect who tried to evade arrest and sustained a neck injury while attempting to escape through the ceiling.

Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Asinim Butswat, in a statement said: “On 18 March 2021 at about 1100hours, the following suspects: ThankGod Edwin, Emomotimi Ebiye and James Ebala were apprehended at Yenezue-gene, Yenagoa, by the Hausa community where the suspects came to dispose of three android phones stolen at gunpoint. They were subsequently handed over to the police for investigation.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to have stolen the phones from the owners at gunpoint. They led police operatives to their hideout at Ovom, Yenagoa to recover the gun used in the operation. On sighting the policemen, one of the suspects tried to escape through the ceiling and jumped out in a bid to escape. He subsequently sustained a neck injury. He was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, where a doctor certified him dead.

“A locally made pistol was recovered in the ceiling of the building. The corpse has been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

“The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Mike Okoli, appeals for calm and has ordered for a full-scale investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of the suspect.”

The state governor, Douye Diri has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of the youth.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, Diri directed that an autopsy be carried out to determine the cause of death.

He said the government will ensure perpetrators of the dastardly act are found and brought to book.

“Human life is sacred. As a responsible government, we will not shy away from our responsibility of protecting it. Anyone who takes another person’s life will be held accountable through the laws of the land,” he said.