A police inspector has been confirmed dead following a violent clash between officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Amaeze community, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The Chairman of Ivo Local Government Council, Emmanuel Ajah, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday night, said he was briefed by the Divisional Police Officer that the confrontation between the two security agencies turned fatal.
An eyewitness from the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the deceased officer, identified simply as Inspector Shedrack, might have been mistakenly shot by his colleagues during the crossfire.
According to the source, the clash broke out after three Hilux vans carrying about 30 policemen intercepted an NSCDC vehicle transporting mining equipment to a site in the area.
The policemen reportedly opened fire on the NSCDC operatives, sparking chaos.
In the heat of the confrontation, Inspector Shedrack allegedly attempted to disarm a civil defence officer.
Other policemen, in trying to shoot at the NSCDC operative, were said to have mistakenly struck their colleague, killing him instantly and injuring several others.
The inspector’s body has since been deposited in a morgue, while the injured officers are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
As of Thursday, both the police and NSCDC commands in Ebonyi State had yet to issue official statements on the incident.