A truck driver was reportedly shot dead Wednesday around the Alaoji area of Aba, the commercial hub of the Abia State when some police operatives reportedly opened fire on one another in what later turned out as mistaken identity.
Residents claimed the police operatives appeared to have mistaken themselves for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members in the area.
It was learnt that the incident occurred as a result of the fact that operatives from Umuahia operated in commercial buses, prompting their colleagues from Aba to mistake them for the separatist group.
It was gathered that during the shootout, shop owners around Alaoji Motor Spare Parts Market and passersby scampered for safety to avoid stray bullets.
The market is located along the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway in the state.
However, a truck driver was not lucky as he was reportedly killed by a stray bullet during the encounter.
It was learnt that an altercation ensued after the operatives realised that they were all police officers.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, the police spokesperson in the state, Maureen Chinaka, said police authorities are investigating the incident.
“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,” Ms Chinaka, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said.
“What we can confirm is that there was a shooting in that area, which resulted in the death of a civilian,” she stated.
The police spokesperson urged anyone with useful information regarding the incident to report it to the police to aid their ongoing investigation.
IPOB, a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra from Southeast and some parts of south-south Nigeria, has been linked to some fatal attacks in the two regions.
Abia State Police Command Denies Crossfire
Meanwhile, the Abia State Police Command, in a statement on Sunday by ASP Maureen Chinaka, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), denied any crossfire between police operatives, pointing out that the identities of those responsible for the shooting and their motives are yet to be established.
ASP Maureen Chinaka’s statement is hereunder reproduce
Rejoinder: Clarification on the Shooting Incident at Alaoji Flyover, Aba
- The Abia State Police Command is aware of the misinformation circulating online regarding the unfortunate shooting incident that led to the death of a civilian around the Alaoji Flyover area in Aba.
- We wish to clarify that, on the 14th of August, 2024, a team of Police officers from the Quick Intervention Unit of the Abia State Police Command was returning to Umuahia from an official assignment. Upon approaching the Alaoji Flyover area in Aba, the team began hearing sporadic gunfire. They quickly disembarked from their vehicle and took cover.
- After the situation had subsided, the officers reached the scene and met on ground members of the Abia State Harmonized Task Force, Operation Crush, and the military. There was no exchange of fire between the Police officers and any other team. It was later discovered that a civilian had tragically lost his life in the incident.
- We have no evidence indicating that the shooting incident involved any of the Command’s patrol teams or personnel. However, what we can confirm is that a shooting occurred in the area, which resulted in the death of a civilian. The identities of those responsible for the shooting and their motives are yet to be established.
- We urge the public to discountenance the misinformation regarding this incident. Anyone with useful information regarding the incident should report to the nearest police station.
18/08/2024
SIGNED:
ASP Maureen Chinaka LLB Anipr
FOR: The Commissioner Of Police
Abia State Command
Eighteen-Eleven Media