Police officer killed while breaking up a fight

A special Police constable attached to Ipenet Police Post, Bululu Sub County in Kaberamaido district, James Erangu, died after sustaining injuries as he separated locals that were involved in a fight.

The Kaberamaido District Police Commander, Ahmed Madiri, confirmed of the incident saying they had already detained one of the suspects who caused Erangu's death.

Erangu is said to have found Charles Eobu and one Anangi assaulting a man only identified as Ejibu on allegation of theft in April.

As an officer, he went in to calm the situation, telling them to file a complaint at the local Police post for the matter to be handled lawful. Instead Eobu and Anangi allegedly turned on the Police officer.

On 14^th April, Erangu reported a case of assault against the duo.

He was later rushed to Soroti Referral Hospital and later to Mbale Regional Hospital where he died from.

Madiri blamed Eobu and Anangi for having assaulted the officer which lead to his death.

Eobu has been arrested and being charged of murder under reference CRB 302/2017.

"Whereas Police is supposed to handle civilians in a professional way, they have always been disappointed when they are assaulted and even innocently killed" Madiri said.

Erangu becomes the third Police officer in Kaberamaido to have been killed by locals people after a similar incident happed in Ogerai village in Kobulubulu Sub County, where a Police officer was killed as he went to effect an arrest.

Another incident happened at Lwala Police Post where a Police officer was dragged from his house, killed and dumped in the bush before the assailants fled with his gun.

Madiri said the locals who in most cases may be complainants, the aggrieved or victims should stop provoking Police officers.

"We are human beings and when provoked, any of us may react and respond differently and end up handling people in a violent way" Madiri stated.

He appealed the locals to be law abiding not only to Police officers but all other leaders and their fellow residents.

Whereas the relatives of the deceased officer had mobilized to confront the suspect's relatives, Kaberamaido LC5 chairman, Albert Anthony Ejoku, intervened and ensured there was negotiation.

There was a traditional compensation of eight animals and two hundred thousand shillings for burial expenses.

Relatives of the suspects are also expected to pay sh3m to cater for the medical expenses incurred while Erangu was hospitalised.

"He died innocently in trying to bring peace. If he was involved in the fight, we would have blamed him but he went to rescue the situation as the suspects turned against him" Moses Okigi a former sub county councillor said.

Erangu was laid to rest in Palatau village, Alwa Sub County in Kaberamaido.