By Agency
A police officer has been arrested for allegedly killing a seven-year-old boy and severely injuring a 14-year-old girl in Unyama Sub County, Gulu district.
The suspect, Cosmas Okot reportedly attacked the children at around 7:30 pm on Friday in Ogul, Coopil village. The deceased has been identified as Nicholas Nabusa while the injured is Mary Kakai.
A preliminary report shows that Nabusa and Kakai who hail from Namulu village, Buwajojo Sub County, Manafwa district arrived in Ogul in Coopil village last week to stay with Kakai’s father, Augustine Nicolas.
According to Justin Kidega, the LCIII Chairperson Unyama Sub County, Kakai narrated that Okot went to their house demanding the whereabouts of her father who is a scrap dealer.
Kidega explains “These kids have been staying alone in the house, peacefully with the neighbours. It was not until last evening when the bad act happened. It’s not clear what caused the attack.”
Kidega says that Okot who was armed with two claw hammers, hit the two children on the heads fatally injuring Nabusa who was pronounced dead on arrival at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.
Moses Ogwang, the Community Liaison Officer at Gulu District Central Police Station confirmed that the suspect was arrested on Saturday.
Ogwang says that Okot who is suspected to be suffering from mental illness was on leave to seek treatment.
According to the 2023 Police Annual Crime Report, a total of 1,129 persons were assaulted to death, of whom, 874 were Male Adults, 155 were Female Adults, 65 were Male Juveniles and 35 were Female Juveniles.
