Panic as policemen allegedly open fire on 4 civilians in Ebonyi

A tragic incident in Ugwuachara, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Wednesday has left four civilians injured after a confrontation between a military personnel and a team of mobile police officers escalated into gunfire.

According to eyewitnesses, the altercation began when the military personnel, riding a motorcycle, was stopped by the police and instructed to enter their Sienna vehicle.

The soldier refused, leading to a violent struggle. During the altercation, one of the police officers allegedly fired a warning shot, but the bullet tragically struck four civilians nearby who were observing the scene.

Panic and chaos erupted as the civilians, uninvolved in the confrontation, became unintended victims of the gunfire. One victim was reportedly confirmed dead at the scene, while the condition of the other three remains uncertain.

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Witnesses said the police officers attempted to flee upon realizing the casualties, prompting enraged residents to retaliate by pelting them with stones. Despite resistance from the locals, the officers managed to force the military personnel into their vehicle and fled, leaving the soldier’s motorcycle behind.

The incident has left the Ugwuachara community in shock and mourning. Residents are demanding an immediate investigation into the actions of the police officers involved to ensure justice for the victims.

At the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Ebonyi State Police Command regarding the incident. The community awaits further developments as tensions remain high.