A bizarre incident in Abia State, Nigeria, is under investigation after police operatives exchanged gunfire, mistakenly identifying each other as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The confusion occurred on Wednesday in the Alaoji area of Aba, the state’s commercial hub.
According to eyewitnesses, police patrol teams from Aba and Umuahia, the state capital, engaged in a shootout. Residents claim the operatives mistook themselves for IPOB members, leading to the exchange of fire. The mistake allegedly happened because operatives from Umuahia used commercial buses, causing their Aba colleagues to mistake them for the separatist group.
During the shootout, shop owners and passersby scrambled for safety to avoid stray bullets. Unfortunately, a truck driver was killed by a stray bullet. After realizing their mistake, an altercation ensued among the operatives.
Police spokesperson Maureen Chinaka stated, “From our preliminary investigation, there is no credible evidence to suggest that police officers mistook themselves for members of IPOB and fired at each other.” She added, “What we can confirm is that there was a shooting in that area, which resulted in the death of a civilian.”
The police are investigating the incident, which raises concerns about mistaken identity and accidental shootings. The use of commercial buses by operatives from Umuahia appears to have contributed to the confusion. The police authorities’ prompt response and investigation aim to clarify the circumstances surrounding the shootout and prevent similar incidents in the future.
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