Crime

Two Feared Dead, Several Injured in Shootout in Anambra Community

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 21st, 2024.

Two Feared Dead, Several Injured in Shootout in Anambra Community

A shooting incident in Anambra State on Wednesday evening left two people feared dead and several others injured after a confrontation between local security forces and police officers. The incident occurred at Izuchukwu Junction, along the Nnobi/Nnewi Road.

Eyewitnesses reported that the shootout, which lasted for several minutes, led to a vehicle being set ablaze when a bullet struck its fuel tank, adding to the panic in the area. According to one witness, “We saw security forces exchanging gunfire, and in the chaos, two bystanders were hit. No one knew what triggered the violence as people scrambled for safety. A car was also destroyed after the fuel tank was pierced by a bullet.”

The event was further confirmed by videos circulating on social media, with various accounts of the incident.

Anambra State Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the shooting on Thursday, explaining that local security operatives mistakenly identified the police officers as hostile forces and opened fire on them. This led to the prolonged gun battle.

He added, “The police command is aware of the shooting that occurred at Izuchukwu Junction around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Security operatives mistakenly engaged the police after taking them for hostile forces. It’s important to note that this incident was not related to non-state actors or any attempt to disrupt the funeral of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.”

Ikenga further explained that the gunfire occurred after the police, while investigating a suspect, tracked him to a security checkpoint. Unfortunately, during the exchange, a bullet hit the fuel tank of a Toyota Venza Sedan carrying officers, causing the vehicle to catch fire. Two innocent bystanders were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.

The police spokesperson called for calm and urged residents of Nnewi not to panic, assuring that Joint Security Forces had been deployed to maintain peace throughout the funeral proceedings for Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.