A confrontation between operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Amaeze, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has left one police officer dead and several others wounded.
The clash occurred on Wednesday when three police Hilux vans carrying about 30 officers allegedly intercepted and opened fire on an NSCDC vehicle said to be transporting mining equipment to a site in the community.
During the fracas, a police officer identified as Shedrack was reportedly hit by a stray bullet while his colleagues attempted to disarm an NSCDC operative.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Chairman of Ivo LGA, Emmanuel Ajah, said he had been briefed by the Divisional Police Officer about the deadly confrontation.“I was informed by the DPO that there was a clash involving the police and civil defence officers in the Amaeze community, and unfortunately, one police officer lost his life in the process,” Ajah said.
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An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, said tensions escalated when the police vans blocked the NSCDC vehicle.“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 some others sustained gunshot injuries,” the witness said.
The body of the deceased officer has been deposited in a mortuary, while those injured are receiving treatment.
In a statement, Ebonyi Police Command confirmed the arrest of an NSCDC operative accused of obstructing lawful police duties and actions that led to the death of the officer.
Police spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu said officers acting on a petition had gone to Ivo to arrest named suspects and had properly identified themselves to both NSCDC personnel and soldiers at the scene. The suspects reportedly agreed to go with the police, but an NSCDC team leader blocked their vehicle and allegedly tried to seize a policeman’s rifle.
“Despite appeals by the suspects themselves, who urged the NSCDC personnel to allow them follow the police to answer the petition, the NSCDC officer refused and forcefully attempted to seize a rifle from one of the policemen. In the ensuing struggle, he discharged the firearm, fatally wounding a Police officer,” the statement said.
Ukandu added that the officer responsible has been taken into custody and that a full investigation is underway.“The Ebonyi State Command reiterates that no individual has the authority to obstruct the Nigeria Police Force in the lawful discharge of its constitutional mandate,” he said.