Nigerian killed in explosion in Kosovo

[Demoritus]

Kosovo peacekeeper killed in explosion | 15:52 January 13 | Beta
PRISTINA -- Thursday – A Nigerian policeman serving in the United Nations police force in Kosovo was killed this morning when his official vehicle exploded in Prizren.

Police spokesman Fatmir Gjugjali told media that the explosion happened at 8.30 today but was unable to give further details.

Kosovo’s UN governor, Soeren Jessen-Petersen, told media he was shocked and sent his condolences to the victim’s family.

“I have been told that an international police officer from Nigeria was killed in this incident. I am shocked at what has happened. For now I have no further information about what actually happened. We have our people at the scene,” said Jessen-Petersen.

Speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, the governor urged media and the public not to speculate on what he described as “this tragic incident”.

Haradinaj described the death of the police officer as “shocking” and called on citizens of Kosovo to cooperate with police.

“Both the Kosovo Government and I personally are shaken by this news,” said the prime minister.

The officer killed today was the eight member of the international police to die since the UN deployed civilian police in the province in 1999.

Kosovo’s international police force at present has about three thousand officers.