Osinakachukwu Onu, a 37-year-old Nigerian man, has been shot dead on the N12 highway in Klerksdorp, North West Province, South Africa, allegedly by police officers during a traffic operation.
Chronicle NG gathered on Thursday, from a report published by Independent Online (IOL), a South African news outlet, that four traffic police officers have been arrested in connection with the killing.
Confirming the development, North West police said the policemen, aged 25 to 36, were arrested on Wednesday after allegedly fleeing the site of the shooting but being tracked down by detectives.
The report added, “Four traffic police officers aged 25 to 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.”
According to the article, preliminary inquiries led officers to a location near Klerksdorp, where the suspects were identified and apprehended.
The article said that their official firearms were seized and would be subjected to forensic ballistic analysis as part of continuing investigations.
“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,” according to the document.
The Northwest Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, welcomed the arrests and praised the Klerksdorp investigators for their prompt and effective response.
The incident adds to the growing number of recorded instances of Nigerians being killed in South Africa.
In July, two Nigerians, identified simply as Austin and Ayo, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Durban.
The incident occurred on Thursday, July 9, when three gunmen reportedly invaded Austin’s office around 8 p.m.
After gaining entry, the assailants, who were alleged to be wearing masks, confronted the two men inside the office and shot them dead.
