There was confusion on Wednesday in the Alaoji Area of Aba, the Abia state’s commercial hub, when a police patrol team from Aba reportedly opened fire on another team from Umuahia, the state capital, leading to an exchange gunfire.
According to residents, the operatives from Umuahia were travelling in commercial buses, making their colleagues from Aba to believe they were IPOB members.
The shootout caused panic in the area, particularly around the Alaoji Motor Spare Parts Market, with shop owners and passersby scrambling for cover to avoid stray bullets, Premium Times reported.
Unfortunately, a truck driver was struck by a stray bullet and lost his life during the encounter.
The situation further worsened dramatically when the officers realised they were shooting at fellow police personnel, resulting in an altercation.
The State Police Command has launched an investigation into the unfortunate incident
Reacting to the incident, the state’s police spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, released a statement on Thursday, clarifying the ongoing investigation.
“From our preliminary investigation, there is no credible evidence to suggest that police officers mistook themselves for members of IPOB and fired at each other,” said Ms. Chinaka, an assistant superintendent of police. “What we can confirm is that there was a shooting in that area, which resulted in the death of a civilian.”
The police have urged anyone with information on the incident to come forward to aid in the investigation.
IPOB, a group advocating for an independent state of Biafra, has been linked to numerous attacks in Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions.
