* As Gov Soludo shuts schools over security concerns
The Anambra State Police Command has clarified that the shooting in Nnewi on Wednesday was not to disrupt the burial of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
It said the shooting was from another security agency, which mistook the police operatives as unfriendly forces and shot at them.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, Superintendent of Police (SP) Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Awka.
“The command is aware of the shooting incident that took place at Izuchukwu Junction, Nnobi/Nnewi road by 7 pm on Wednesday, where security operatives mistook the police operatives as unfriendly forces and opened fire at them.
“We emphasise that the attack on the operatives was not from non-state actors or any attempt to disrupt the burial of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah,” he said.
Ikenga said that preliminary information showed that the security operatives on investigation trailed a suspect to a security checkpoint before the gun duel ensued.
According to him, unfortunately, bullets hit the fuel tank of the Toyota Venza Sedan carrying the men, and it was razed down.
“Two innocent passers-by were injured and they have been taken to the hospital.”
He sued for calm to allow for investigations into the incident as the issue is under control.
The PPRO said that joint security forces have been deployed to ensure Nnewi is calm throughout the burial ceremonies of the late senator.
Ubah, who was Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, died in London in July at the age of 52.
Ubah would be buried November 22, 2024 at his home in Otolo, Nnewi.
Meanwhile, concerns over possible violence during Ubah’s prompted Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to close schools in Nnewi for one week.
Reports indicate that non-State actors had previously threatened to disrupt the burial process without addressing certain unresolved issues.
With the burial scheduled for Friday in Umuanuka village, Otolo Nnewi, the government issued a circular on Thursday via WhatsApp instructing all principals to close schools in the Nnewi zone until Tuesday next week.