Three persons left dead in Aba after soldiers and policemen open fire on each other

THREE persons have been confirmed dead in the industrial city of Aba following a bloody clash between the men of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that led to the loss of life of two mobile policemen and one soldier.

In an tragedy that rocked Abia State. the Nigerian Army soldiers attached to the Ngwa High School Forward Operation Base and personnel of Mobile Police Force unit in Osisioma Local Government Area of the state, ended up exchanging gunfire. Eyewitness, Chinyere Ikem said the incident forced many shop owners to quickly close for business while many petty traders along the expressway abandoned their wares to scamper for safety as lorry load of mobile and regular policemen arrived the scene that was already charged.

Ms Ikem said that while some passengers going to different parts of the country that were yet to board vehicles to their locations were trapped in the shootout, others coming into the state, used alternative routes to avoid being caught in the web of the crisis. She added that it happened in a flash and before anyone knew what was happening, trucks of army and police vans were everywhere.

“Police and army were shooting themselves face-to-face and from what we later learnt, two policemen and a soldier died in the gun duel. I don’t know what is happening at this Osisioma junction and don’t forget that some time ago, police and army clashed here and shot at each other leaving one policemen dead.

“I saw some people running with blood stains and I guess that they were hit by stray bullets. Police and army leadership in the state should call themselves to order as they are sister agencies and I don’t think that it is in their own interest to be fighting among themselves when they are supposed to be working hand in hand with each other especially as the state governor is doing his best in tackling insecurity in the state,” Ms Ikem added.

While normalcy has since returned to the area, shop owners were yet to open for business as people gathered in clusters recount their experience of the incident.

Abia State information commissioner Chief John Okiyi, said the state government was working with heads of security agencies to bring the situation under control. He also assured the public that an investigation was ongoing to know the cause of the incident and to fish out those behind the incident.

Chief Okiyi added: “We are working with the heads of the concerned security agencies in the state to ensure that the situation, which has been brought under control does not repeat itself or escalate within the state. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has also directed a full investigation of the circumstances that led to the breach of public peace with a view to preventing future occurrence of such armed confrontation that endanger the lives of innocent citizens and security agents working in the state.

“While we are currently working with law enforcement agencies to review the immediate and remote cause of the incidence, members of the public are advised to go about their normal duties as the situation around the area has been pacified. Those responsible for this breach of public peace will certainly be unravelled and punished according the law.”