The Anambra State Police Command has reported that the shooting at Izuchukwu junction on the Nnobi/Nnewi road around 7 PM on Wednesday was a case of mistaken identity involving police and security operatives.
It is alleged that the gunfire was an attempt by non-state actors to disrupt the burial of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South in the Senate.
In a statement signed by SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the command clarified that “security operatives mistakenly identified the police as hostile forces and opened fire on them.”
Ikenga , the Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra command added that the incident resulted in bullets striking the fuel tank of a Toyota Venza Sedan, causing the vehicle to catch fire.
Two innocent bystanders were injured and taken to the hospital, according to police reports.
The police further urged the public to remain calm as they investigate the incident.
The command emphasized that “the attack on the operatives did not originate from non-state actors and was not an attempt to disrupt the burial of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.”
Ikenga noted that preliminary information indicated that security operatives, while pursuing a suspect, encountered the police at a security checkpoint, which led to the gunfire.
He stated, “Joint Security Forces have been deployed to ensure peace in Nnewi throughout the senator’s burial ceremonies.”
Senator Ubah will be buried tomorrow in Nnewi.
