A violent clash between operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Amaeze community, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has resulted in the death of a policeman and left several others injured.
Confirming the incident late Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of Ivo LGA, Emmanuel Ajah, said he was briefed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ivo Division.
“I was informed by the DPO that there was a confrontation involving the police and civil defence officers in Amaeze, and sadly, one police officer lost his life,” Ajah said.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the deceased officer, identified simply as Shedrack, may have been killed by accidental gunfire from his colleagues during the exchange. According to their account, the incident began when three Hilux vans carrying about 30 policemen allegedly intercepted an NSCDC vehicle transporting mining equipment to a site in Amaeze. The interception reportedly led to sporadic gunshots.
One source claimed that Shedrack attempted to disarm an NSCDC officer when the situation escalated. In the confusion, fellow policemen reportedly opened fire on the civil defence operative, but mistakenly shot their colleague, who died instantly.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Police Command gave a different narration in a statement issued on Thursday. The Command’s spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said police operatives, acting on a petition, had gone to a quarry site in Ivo LGA on August 27 to arrest certain suspects.
Ukandu explained that the suspects voluntarily agreed to follow the police, and soldiers guarding the facility had cleared them to proceed. However, the NSCDC team leader allegedly blocked the police vehicle and instructed his men not to allow the suspects to leave.
“Despite appeals from the suspects themselves, the NSCDC officer refused. He then attempted to wrestle a rifle from one of our officers, and in the struggle, the weapon discharged, fatally injuring a policeman,” Ukandu stated.
The Command confirmed that the officer was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead. It added that the NSCDC officer allegedly responsible has been taken into custody as investigations continue.
As of the time of filing this report, the NSCDC authorities in Ebonyi have not issued an official statement regarding the clash.
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