The alleged stabbing of a 20-year-old man, Nyebuchi Ihunwo, to death by a policeman in Atali community under Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State has created tension in the area.
Sources said the officer, a Superintendent of Police deployed to the IGP Monitoring Team, identified as Inspector Chinedu, had gone to the area to effect the victim’s arrest.
Ihunwo was reportedly trying to purchase roasted plantain and fish by the roadside at about 8:20pm on Thursday when the incident occurred.
A source said the officer became furious as Ihunwo resisted arrest. He then allegedly pulled out a dagger and stabbed him.
Angered by the incident, youths stormed Elimgbu police station in protest.
One of the protesters said police officers opened fire on them injuring three persons in the process.
Rivers police spokesman, Nnamdi Omoni, denied claims that the officer killed the young man.
“Consequently, when the rampaging cultists/youths sighted the police re-enforcement, they mobilised again in their numbers and one of them with a knife attacked ASP Chukwuma Onuora and as he was to stab him, he defended himself and while they were struggling with the knife. The boy had a cut on his stomach. The same youths took him to the hospital where he later died,” Omoni said in a statement.
He also confirmed that the police stopped youths who tried to break into Elimgbu police station after pulling down its fence.
