A police officer has allegedly been shot and killed by his colleague while on duty at a government fertilizer depot in Luanda, Vihiga County.
The deceased officer, identified as Nicholas Samoei, succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound to the head in the incident that has shocked the local community.
The tragedy unfolded at the Esirabe fertilizer depot, where the two officers were guarding the facility. According to authorities, the two officers were in the middle of their shift when the shooting occurred under circumstances that are still under investigation.
The suspect fled the scene immediately after the incident.
Luanda Sub-County Police Commander Richard Siele confirmed that a multi-agency manhunt has been launched to find and arrest the colleague who is now believed to be armed and dangerous.
Commander Siele, who spoke to the media from the scene of the crime, said the force is now working to establish the motive behind the shooting.
Gunshots at night
Initially, the suspect claimed that Samoei had shot himself. However, they later switched off their phone and disappeared, raising suspicion.
Residents reported hearing gunshots late at night, and when they looked, they discovered Samoei with a gunshot wound to his head.
After investigating, authorities found two guns, one belonging to Samoei and the other to the suspect.
Based on the evidence, the police concluded that Samoei did not kill himself but was, in fact, killed. Police now believe the officer on the run is the primary suspect.
“The residents told us that around 8pm or 9pm, they didn’t know what had happened or where. At around 10 p.m. today, they heard different gunshots, and when they tried to look, the officer who had passed away had been shot in the head. He was shot here on the face, and it came out the back of his head, and he was sleeping,” the commander said.
He explained that he found two guns at the scene, and after investigations, they came to realize that the police did not kill himself as earlier claimed.
"We found both guns: that of the one who had made the call and that of the deceased. As the investigation continued, it became clear that the officer did not kill himself but was killed, and we suspect the one who was with him and who made the call, who is his colleague," he added.
The commandant has confirmed that the body has been moved to the mortuary at Vihiga County Referral Hospital. The police are appealing to the public for information that could help them find the missing officer.
