Anambra State Police Command has clarified that the shooting incident in Nnewi on Wednesday evening was not aimed at disrupting the burial of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Anambra police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed this in Awka on Thursday, explaining that the shooting occurred due to a mix-up between security operatives.
Ikenga stated, ““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.”
Ikenga said that preliminary information showed that the security operatives on investigation trailed a suspect to a security checkpoint before gun duel ensued.
He said the gunfire led to the fuel tank of a Toyota Venza Sedan being hit and set ablaze, leaving two innocent passers-by injured. They have since been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Ikenga assured residents that the attack was not carried out by non-state actors and was unrelated to the burial of the senator. Joint security forces have been deployed to maintain calm throughout the burial ceremonies, he said.
Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, died in London in July at the age of 52. He will be buried on November 22, 2024, at his home in Otolo, Nnewi.
