On Wednesday 20/11/24, officers from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Ebonyi Command, reportedly shot and killed one person while injuring three others during a confrontation between police and a soldier.
The Police Commissioner for the state, Mrs. Adaku Uche-Anya, confirmed the incident to reporters in Abakaliki.
Uche-Anya explained that the fatal shooting occurred when a bullet accidentally discharged from an officer’s firearm during a struggle between the police and a motorcyclist who identified himself as a soldier.
In light of the increasing cases of motorcycle theft and snatching in Abakaliki, officers from the command were carrying out a regular patrol on the old Enugu-Abakaliki road, near the Ugwuachara area, when they halted an individual on a motorcycle to ask for the vehicle’s documents.
The individual claimed to be a soldier but failed to provide proper identification. When the officers attempted to arrest him for this, he resisted and started grappling with one of their rifles.
“This struggle led to an accidental discharge of ammunition, tragically resulting in one man’s death and three others being injured,” she explained.
“Both the police officer and the individual involved in the incident are now in custody. The police command expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased.”
The police commissioner assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted into the incident, and anyone found responsible would be held fully accountable under the law.
