A major tragedy befell the police high command yesterday when a 52-year old Commissioner of Police, (Police Mobile Unit, Abuja) Mr. Teka Felix, was shot dead by suspected robbers at a close range.
The attack, which occurred at about 12.45pm near the office of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Central Area, Abuja took the neighbourhood unawares as they witnessed a police vehicle being shot at close range and in a commando-like style.
An eyewitness told THISDAY that the first shot was fired while the police vehicle, marked Compol Mopol and with an inscription A220 16 Valve, was on motion.
The driver was said to have managed to swerve off the road before more bullets were rained on the late police boss and his orderly.
The deceased who was said to have been rushing to the headquaters for a meeting died before Good Samaritans could get him to the nearby National Hospital.
When Thisday visited police headquarters yesterday, the police double van attacked was parked in front of the building with so many of the late commissioner�s colleagues milling round while those who could not control their emotion sobbed.
The back seat of the vehicle was soaked with blood and his two mobile phones were lying on the seat with blood stains on them.
Confirming the incident, police public relations officer, Haz Iwendi said official statement would be made today by the police high command.
Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue of the National Hospital, Abuja.
A senior medical officer at the Hospital yesterday told THISDAY that the police commissioner, who hails from Anambra state, was brought to the hospital dead.
According to the surgeon who pleaded for anonymity, the police commissioner was shot in the neck, leading to the rupturing of his neck veins.
The source said two other victims sustained severe bullet wounds in a similar encounter with the same gang that shot the CP.
He said the body of deceased was brought to the hospital at about 1.30pm by sympathizers.
According to him, the two victims who survived the gun shot ordeal are receiving treatment, though their condition was critical but are however slated for surgery.
Dec62006