A local vigilante group and a police team on Wednesday mistook themselves for pro-Biafra gunmen and opened fire at each other. at Izuchukwu Junction along Nnobi-Nnewi Road in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra state.
Penpushing reports that sources explained that the mild drama occurred at about 7 p.m. at a scene close to Otolo Nnewi, the hometown of Ifeanyi Ubah, the deceased Nigerian senator, billed to be buried on Friday.
The residents told journalists that they thought pro-Biafra gunmen who had threatened to resist the burial of the senator were in the shootout with police operatives, adding that two passers-by hit by stray bullets were feared dead during the encounter.
Penpushing further reports that a resident identified as Charles Okoli in his narrative of the incident told journalists that a Toyota Venza vehicle parked nearby caught fire during the incident and burnt to ashes, but said he could not ascertain if the operatives set the vehicle ablaze during the shootout.
The Anambra State Police Command Public Relations Officer Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement adding that the local security operatives mistook the police operatives as unfriendly forces and opened fire at them.
Penpushing also reports that Ikenga, a superintendent of police, explained that the attack on the operatives was not from non-state actors or any attempt to disrupt the burial of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
“Preliminary information shows 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’, he said
Penpushing reports that the police spokesperson said a joint security team had been deployed to ensure Nnewi is calm for the burial ceremony of the late senator, just as Penpushing Media investigation showed that that was not the first security operatives would be mistaking themselves for pro-Biafra gunmen in the South-East of the country.
The separatist group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks, while in August this year, two police teams in Abia State exchanged gunfire after mistaking themselves for members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that a truck driver, Chinedu Ukwu, died after he was hit by a stray bullet during the shootout between the two police teams which occurred in Alaoji Area of Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.
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