Bayelsa Police arrest suspect over 2022 shooting of inspector

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

Operatives of Operation Puff Adder, a tactical unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command, have arrested a 38-year-old man, Iliasu Mohammed, over his alleged involvement in the 2022 shooting of Police Inspector Ekperi Edwin Osuo in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Inspector Edwin was shot in the stomach on August 21, 2022, along Akenfa Street during an incident described by police as an attempted armed robbery and assassination. He sustained life-threatening injuries and underwent emergency surgery, with pellets reportedly still lodged in his body over three years later.

The investigation gained new momentum following allegations that a key suspect linked to the crime had been released under questionable circumstances after being handed over to the Nigeria Police Force by the military. A new petition to the State Commissioner of Police, Daniel Iyamah, led to the case being assigned to the intelligence-driven Operation Puff Adder, headed by CSP Chris Nwaogbo.

The arrested suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to be arraigned in the State High Court, marking the first prosecutorial step since the incident occurred.

Police sources said the move reflects the Commissioner of Police’s commitment to a thorough, impartial, and intelligence-led investigation, particularly given the status of the victim as a serving officer. Senior security officials also noted that Operation Puff Adder’s involvement signals renewed efforts to resolve violent crimes targeting police personnel.

The Department of Public Prosecution has approved the case for prosecution, and authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing ahead of the suspect’s arraignment.

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