Two security agencies on Wednesday engaged each other in a shooting battle in Nnewi, Anambra state.
This was confirmed by the Superintendent of Police (SP) Tochukwu Ikenga the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the police command in Anambra.
Ikenga clarified the shooting was not to disrupt the burial the burial of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Explaining what transpired, he said the shooting was from another security agency which mistook the police operatives as unfriendly forces and shot at them.
“The command is aware of the shooting incident that took place at Izuchukwu Junction, Nnobi/Nnewi road by 7 pm on Wednesday, were security operatives mistook the police operatives as unfriendly forces and opened fire at them.
“We emphasise that the attack on the operatives was not from non-state actors or any attempt to disrupt the burial of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah,” he said.
Ikenga said that preliminary information showed that the security operatives on investigation trailed a suspect to a security checkpoint before the gun duel ensued.
According to him, 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 they have been taken to the hospital. He sued for calm to allow for investigations into the incident as the issue was under control’’, he said.
The PPRO said that joint security forces have been deployed to ensure Nnewi is calm throughout the burial ceremonies of the late senator.
