Police Officer Killed In Anambra Amid Stop-and-Search Shootout

A police officer of the 29 Police Mobile Force, Awka, has been killed in a shootout during a stop-and-search operation along the Onitsha/Owerri Expressway, near Danaks Filling Station in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The incident occurred late on Wednesday, causing panic among residents and shop owners along the road as the shootings happened suddenly and in a chaotic manner.

The deceased, an inspector, was part of a patrol team conducting routine checks when they intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle reportedly driving against traffic.

Eyewitnesses near the scene said the police officers, unaware the vehicle was used by operatives suspected to be DSS personnel, flagged it down for a search. However, the DSS personnel allegedly resisted, and in the ensuing altercation, opened fire, which led to the shootings.

One eyewitness, a hawker near the scene who asked to remain anonymous, said, “The unmarked Toyota Sienna conveying the DSS operatives had emerged from a nearby track road and was driving against traffic, prompting the police patrol team to flag it down for questioning. However, the occupants allegedly declined to cooperate and instead opened fire on the police team, fatally hitting one of the officers in his lower rib region.”

The injured officer was rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala and subsequently referred to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, where he was confirmed dead upon arrival.

The Anambra State Police Command spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, describing it as distressing and appealing for calm. He assured that an investigation was underway to clarify the full circumstances.

He said: “The deceased police officer, who was on duty at the checkpoint, was mistakenly fatally shot by operatives of a ‘friendly force’ who emerged from an unmarked Toyota Sienna vehicle dressed in black attire — a scene that initially triggered suspicion and led to the exchange of fire between the two security agencies.

“The situation had since been brought under control, while the case has been officially transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for discreet and comprehensive investigation.

“The State Police Command, headed by CP Ikioye Orutugu, has urged the public to remain calm and trust the command’s ongoing efforts to get to the root of the matter. All necessary protocols were being followed to ensure justice, as well as to forestall a recurrence of such incidents.”

He added that the officer’s body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The PUNCH reports that this incident occurred barely two weeks after another police inspector, Okolie Amechi of the Police Mobile Force 29 Squadron in Amansea, Awka, was accidentally shot dead by his 10-year-old son, who mistakenly pulled the trigger on his AK-47 rifle.