The police in Abia State, southeast Nigeria, are investigating an incident where it was reported that some police operatives mistakenly exchanged gunfire, believing each other to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The confusion occurred on Wednesday in the Alaoji Area of Aba, a key commercial hub in the state, when two police patrol teams allegedly opened fire on one another.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, the shootout involved a patrol team from the Aba Police Area Command and another team from Umuahia, the state capital.
![](https://i0.wp.com/ekohotblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Nigeria-Police-officers-running.jpg?resize=739%2C415&ssl=1)
Eyewitnesses suggested that the operatives may have mistaken each other for IPOB members, as the team from Umuahia was using commercial buses, leading their colleagues from Aba to suspect they were separatists.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- Focus on Hard Work, Not Just Prosperity – Osinbajo Tells Nigerian Churches
- Olympics Best Basketball Coach: Tinubu Hails As D’Tigress’ Wakama On Award
- WAEC to Release May/June 2024 WASSCE Results Today
During the exchange, shop owners and passersby near the Alaoji Motor Spare Parts Market reportedly fled to avoid being hit by stray bullets. Tragically, a truck driver was killed in the crossfire.
After realizing they were all police officers, an altercation reportedly ensued between the teams.
Reacting to the incident, the state police spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, issued a statement on Thursday, confirming that the incident is under investigation.
![](https://i0.wp.com/ekohotblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Indigenous-People-of-Biafra-IPOB.jpg?resize=640%2C432&ssl=1)
“From our preliminary investigation, there is no credible evidence to suggest that police officers mistook each other for members of IPOB and fired at each other,” said Ms. Chinaka, an assistant superintendent of police. She confirmed that a civilian was killed in the shooting and urged anyone with relevant information to come forward to assist the ongoing investigation.
FURTHER READING
- Rwandan President, Paul Kagame Sworn in for Fourth Term
- Benue PDP Crisis: Sheath Your Swords -Ortom Urges Supporters
- BREAKING: Explosion Rocks APP Secretariat in Rivers
EKO HOT BLOG reports that IPOB, which has been linked to several violent incidents in the southeast and parts of the south-south regions, is a group agitating for the independence of Biafra from Nigeria.
Click here to watch our video of the week:
Discover more from EkoHotBlog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.ekohotblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AdvertEKOHOT-1024x1024.jpeg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)