North Kioga Police in Lira-City West Division are currently investigating a murder by shooting of one Opio Isaac. Opio, a 31-year-old driver and resident of Abuja B village, Adelogo parish Okwerodot Sub-County in Kole District, was allegedly involved in syphoning fuel from Engil company. His colleagues who were also involved in the alleged theft are currently at large.
According to the statement by the North Kioga Police spoke person, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, on May 31st, 2023, patrollers received information that a blue motor vehicle suspected to be stolen/carrying suspected armed robbers was heading towards the City centre.
The patrol squad later came across the vehicle with covered number plates and attempted to stop it. However, the driver refused to stop prompting the officers to pursue it.
The patrol team fired warning bullets in the air, but still, the driver refused to stop until the tires were deflated by gunshots. Three people on board jumped out while the car was still moving and fled to the nearby bush.
“…they tried to stop it but instead sped off prompting the officers to pursue it and later discharged warning bullets in the air, but still the driver refused to stop untill the tyres were shot at deflated that’s when it stopped. Three of the people on board of the vehicle jumped out while it was still moving and fled to the nearby bush….” Part of the statement reads.
Upon searching the vehicle, Kiseka Umar, a resident of Pipe along Kwania Road and a machine operator at motor Engil company, was found inside. The police recovered 12 jerry cans of Diesel and two syphoning tubes from the vehicle. Kiseka Umar was then arrested and detained to help in investigations.
Later in the morning, the LC.1 Chairperson of Alito camp informed the police of a man hiding in the bush. Upon arrival, the police found Opio Isaac hiding in the bush with an injury and he was rushed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital, where he later passed away at around 10 am.
Following additional information from the public, a store suspected to be having stolen fuel was identified. The store owner, Mr. Okello Isaac, was arrested, and upon searching his store, 14 jerrycans full of diesel suspected to have been stolen from road construction sites were recovered, along with 4 plastic drums and syphoning tubes.
The statement reveals that the police have received several complaints of fuel theft in the road construction going on mainly on the road from APAC-Kwania to Lira-City.
The police has promised to continue with such operations based on intelligence. The motor vehicle used in the alleged crime and all exhibits recovered have been taken to Lira-City CPS.
