A 15-month-old baby has been shot dead in Imo via a stray bullet.

The baby’s parents believed their child was killed by a stray bullet from the Imo command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The NSCDC denied responsibility for the death of the baby.

The command’s spokesman, Lowell Chimeziri, stated this on Wednesday in Owerri when he addressed journalists on behalf of the commandant, Matthew Ovye.

Mr Chimeziri said, “As a command, we only received the news of the death of the boy, identified as Chidalu when his parents visited the command’s headquarters in Owerri recently. They (parents) came with Chidalu’s lifeless body, alleging that he was killed by a stray bullet fired by one of the men in a white Hilux van that drove past the ever-busy Fire Service Roundabout.”

The NSCDC officer added, “The unfortunate thing is that Chidalu’s parents were made to believe that the men in the Hilux van were officers of the NSCDC,” insisting the assumption is “erroneous.”

He urged the public to ignore the allegation and remain calm as the command investigates in cooperation with other security agencies to unravel the culprits, claiming that many organisations use white Hilux vans in Imo just as other people wear red-collar shirts.

Mr Chimeziri said the NSCDC was not responsible for the shooting and would not be associated with the careless, cruel and inhumane act.

He expressed sympathy with the deceased’s family and urged them and the public to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the investigation.

“By God’s grace, we will soon conclude our investigation, and justice must prevail in this matter, said Mr Chimeziri.

(NAN)