Police officer shot during arrest attempt at Oshakati

A police investigator attached to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was shot during an attempted arrest at Oshakati on Friday.

The Oshana acting head of criminal investigations, chief inspector Meinorf Haingura, has confirmed the incident.

He says the incident happened on Friday afternoon.

Haingura says the suspect, a 61-year-old man, had been called to the ACC offices for questioning in connection with a corruption case dating back to 2024.

“It is alleged that during lunch time at the ACC offices, they called in a suspect in one of their old corruption cases of 2024. He was called for an interview and during the interview, they reached a stage where they decided that the suspect would be arrested,” Haingura says.

He adds that the suspect allegedly stood up during the arrest process and drew a firearm from his waist.

Police officers and investigators reportedly attempted to restrain him, leading to a struggle during which two shots were fired.

“One of the investigators, who is a police officer attached to the ACC, was struck in the abdomen,” Haingura says.

The injured officer was rushed to hospital, where he remains admitted.

Haingura says preliminary investigations suggest the suspect may have intended to take his own life before officers intervened.

The suspect was arrested and is expected to face charges including attempted murder, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of ammunition without lawful authority, and discharging a firearm in a public place.

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