Police probe alleged killing of two bystanders in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has said it is probing the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing of two persons and some others injured when local security operatives and its operatives engaged themselves in a gun duel that lasted several minutes.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident happened at the Izuchukwu Junction, Nnobi/Nnewi Road in the state late on Wednesday.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Thursday, confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro.

Ikenga said the local security forces mistook the police operatives as “unfriendly forces” and opened fire on them, thereby leading to the gun duel.
He said, “The command is aware of the shooting incident that took place at the Izuchukwu Junction, Nnobi/Nnewi Road by 7 pm on Wednesday where security operatives mistook the police operatives as unfriendly forces and opened fire at them.

“However, the command wishes to emphasise that the attack on the operatives was not from non-state actors or any attempt to disrupt the burial of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

“Preliminary information showed that security operatives on investigation trailed a suspect to a security checkpoint before the gun duel ensued.
“Unfortunately, bullets hit the fuel tank of the Toyota Venza Sedan carrying the men, and it was razed down. Two innocent passers-by were injured and taken to hospital. The command sues for calm to allow for investigations into the incident.”

A source, who pleaded anonymity because of security, said, “The incident happened last night (Wednesday). We just suddenly saw security operatives engaging themselves in a gun battle, and during the incident, two passers-by were hit by bullets, and they fell to the ground.

“No one knew the actual cause of the incident as people scampered to safety. Even a vehicle was burnt down when bullets hit the fuel tank.
“It was a scary scene as residents thought those engaging in the shooting were hoodlums who had come to disrupt the burial of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, that would be taking place in Nnewi on Friday.”

The incident was also corroborated in some videos circulating on social media where some voices narrated what transpired.

The Anambra PPRO assured Nnewi residents not to panic, saying that the Joint Security Forces had been deployed to ensure the area was calm throughout the burial ceremonies of the late senator.

Meanwhile, in response to the rising security concerns surrounding the late senator’s burial, school authorities have ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week.
The decision, it was gathered, also follows fears of potential violence, with reports of threats from non-state actors to disrupt the event unless certain unresolved issues were addressed.

The closure of the schools was necessitated by the shootings that occurred on Wednesday evening, where circulars were issued on Thursday directing all schools in the Nnewi zone to shut down until Tuesday next week.

In the circular, parents were also advised to keep their children at home to ensure their safety.

In the circular, shared through school WhatsApp groups, on Thursday, principals were urged to communicate the closure to parents and caution against students wandering in uniforms during this period.

However. the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, could not be contacted for reactions on the development as her mobile line remained unreachable throughout Thursday.

Also, the officials of the ministry, including the Permanent Secretary, when contacted, directed our correspondent to the commissioner, saying, “Only the commissioner can respond to that. Please, reach out to her.”