A 37-year-old Nigerian national, Osinakachukwu Onu, has been fatally shot on the N12 highway in Klerksdorp, North West Province, South Africa, allegedly by police officers during a routine traffic operation.
Four traffic police officers, aged between 25 and 36, have been arrested in connection with the killing, our correspondent learnt on Thursday from Independent Online (IOL), a South African news outlet.
The North West police confirmed that the suspects were apprehended on Wednesday after allegedly fleeing the scene following the shooting incident.
They were subsequently tracked down by detectives.
The report stated, “Four traffic police officers aged between 25 and 36 have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a Nigerian national on the N12 in Klerksdorp.
“The officers were arrested by Klerksdorp detectives on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice following the death of 37-year-old Osinakachukwu Marcus Onu.
“According to North West provincial police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh, Onu was allegedly shot and killed at about 3am on Wednesday, December 17, during a traffic operation on the N12. It is alleged that the deceased, who was reportedly legally in South Africa, was chased by four traffic officers while they were conducting operations.
“During the pursuit, Onu was allegedly shot. His vehicle was later found stalled in the middle of the road on the opposite side of the N12.
“The police said they were alerted to the incident and responded to the scene, where they discovered that the traffic officers involved had already left.”
Preliminary investigations led detectives to a location in Klerksdorp, where the suspects were traced and arrested, the report added.
Their official firearms were seized and will undergo forensic ballistic analysis as part of ongoing investigations, according to the report.
“The four accused police officers are expected to appear before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, December 18, on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice,” the report said.
The North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, has welcomed the arrests and commended the Klerksdorp detectives for what he described as a swift and effective response.