Abia State Police Denies Involvement in Fatal Shooting of Truck Driver in Aba
The Abia State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has refuted claims of their involvement in the killing of an unidentified truck driver during a shootout in Aba on Wednesday.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Maureen Chinaka, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, released a statement on Thursday afternoon to clarify the situation. Chinaka stated, “Regarding the shooting incident and the death of a civilian near the Flyover at Alaoji Area in Aba, our preliminary investigation reveals no credible evidence suggesting that police officers mistakenly fired at each other, believing they were dealing with IPOB members.
“We confirm that a shooting occurred in the area resulting in the death of a civilian. The identity and motives of those responsible are still under investigation,” Chinaka added. She further urged anyone with information about the incident to report to the nearest police station.
According to reports, the shooting involved a confrontation between police patrol teams from the Aba Area Command and another unit from Umuahia. Allegedly, the two teams, both operating in commercial buses, failed to recognize each other and opened fire. The chaotic exchange forced shop owners and passersby along the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway to flee for safety. Unfortunately, the truck driver was caught in the crossfire and was fatally shot.
Sources suggest that the confrontation only ended when the officers realized they were all police personnel, leading to a situation of blame-shifting and reluctance to accept responsibility for the tragic death.
