From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
Violent clash between operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Amaeze community, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, left one police officer dead with several others injured.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday night, the Executive Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Mr Emmanuel Ajah, said he was briefed by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Ivo Division about the tragic confrontation.
“I was informed by the DPO that there was a clash involving the police and civil defence officers in Amaeze community, and unfortunately, one police officer lost his life in the process,” Ajah said.
Eyewitnesses from the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the deceased policeman, identified simply as Shedrack, may have been mistakenly shot by his colleagues.
According to the source, tension erupted when three Hilux vans conveying about 30 policemen reportedly double-crossed and opened fire on an NSCDC van transporting mining equipment to a site in Amaeze.
The incident escalated into chaos, leading to the fatal shooting of the officer.
“In the course of the fracas, Shedrack allegedly attempted to disarm a civil defence officer. But when other policemen tried to shoot at the NSCDC operative, they mistakenly hit their colleague, who died on the spot, while others sustained gunshot injuries,” the source said.
The body of the deceased officer has since been deposited in a morgue, while the injured are receiving treatment in a nearby hospital.
Reacting to the development, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, DCP Joshua Ukandu, issued a statement narrating a different sequence of events.
Ukandu explained that the police operatives had gone to effect an arrest at a quarry facility based on a duly filed petition.
He said the suspects willingly submitted themselves, and the soldiers providing security at the site allowed the police to proceed.
However, he alleged that the NSCDC team leader obstructed the arrest, ordering his men to block the police vehicle.
According to Ukandu, the civil defence officer then forcefully attempted to seize a rifle from a policeman, leading to a struggle during which the weapon discharged and fatally wounded a police officer.
“The injured officer was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead. The NSCDC officer responsible has since been arrested, while a full-scale investigation is ongoing,” Ukandu said.
He stressed that no individual or institution has the authority to obstruct the Nigeria Police Force in the lawful discharge of its constitutional duties.
