A violent confrontation between operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Amaeze community, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has left one policeman dead and several others injured.
The Executive Chairman of Ivo LGA, Emmanuel Ajah, confirmed the development on Wednesday night, saying he was briefed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ivo Division about the incident.
“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,” Ajah stated.
Community eyewitnesses alleged that the deceased officer, identified only as Shedrack, may have been killed by “friendly fire” from his colleagues during the exchange. They claimed that the confrontation began when three Hilux vans conveying about 30 policemen reportedly double-crossed an NSCDC vehicle transporting mining equipment to a site in Amaeze, sparking tension and sporadic gunshots.
“During the fracas, Shedrack allegedly tried to disarm a civil defence officer. But when other policemen attempted to shoot at the NSCDC operative, they mistakenly hit their colleague, who died on the spot,” one eyewitness said.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ebonyi State Police Command offered a different account of events. Spokesperson SP Joshua Ukandu explained that operatives of the Command, acting on a petition, had gone to Ivo LGA on August 27 to arrest suspects at a quarry facility.
According to the statement, the suspects willingly submitted themselves, while soldiers providing security at the site gave the police clearance to proceed. However, the NSCDC team leader allegedly obstructed the process, blocking the police vehicle and ordering his men not to allow the suspects to leave.
“Despite appeals by the suspects themselves, who urged the NSCDC personnel to allow them to follow the police to answer the petition, the NSCDC officer refused and forcefully attempted to seize a rifle from one of the policemen. In the ensuing struggle, he discharged the firearm, fatally wounding a police officer,” Ukandu said.
The Command confirmed that the injured officer was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. It also announced that the NSCDC officer involved had been arrested, while investigations are ongoing.
As of press time, the NSCDC authorities in Ebonyi had not issued an official statement on the incident.
