A police officer has been confirmed dead while several others sustained injuries following a 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.
The Chairman of Ivo Local Government Council, Emmanuel Ajah, confirmed the development on Wednesday night, saying he was informed of the tragedy by the Divisional Police Officer in the area.
He said, “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.”
An eyewitness from Amaeze, who requested anonymity, told reporters on Thursday that the deceased policeman, identified simply as Inspector Shedrack, might have been killed by friendly fire.
According to the source, trouble started when three Hilux vans carrying about 30 policemen allegedly intercepted and opened fire on an NSCDC van transporting mining equipment to a site in Amaeze. This confrontation reportedly led to the death of the police officer.
He said, “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 deceased officer’s body has since been deposited in a morgue, while the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
As of Thursday, both the police and NSCDC commands in Ebonyi State had not released official statements regarding the incident.
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