A 37-year-old Nigerian man, Osinakachukwu Onu, has been shot dead on the N12 highway in Klerksdorp, North West Province, South Africa, allegedly by police officers during a traffic operation.
The Legal Observer learned 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, the North West police stated that the officers, aged between 25 and 36, were apprehended on Wednesday after they reportedly fled the scene following the shooting but were later tracked down by detectives.
The report noted, “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 3 am 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 pursued 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.”
