Security operatives exchanged gunfire in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday after mistaking each other for members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The incident occurred at Izuchukwu Junction along the Nnobi/Nnewi road around 7 p.m., sparking tension in the area. Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, clarified that the clash was not an attempt to disrupt the burial of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, as speculated in some reports.
Ikenga explained that the misunderstanding arose when one security agency mistook police operatives for hostile forces and opened fire on them.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the security operatives had trailed a suspect to a checkpoint before the gunfire ensued,” Ikenga said.
He added that bullets struck the fuel tank of a Toyota Venza Sedan carrying the police operatives, causing the vehicle to catch fire. Two innocent passersby were injured in the incident and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
The police spokesperson urged residents to remain calm as joint security forces have been deployed to maintain peace during the burial ceremonies. He assured the public that investigations are ongoing to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
