The funeral rites of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Wednesday evening were marred by a shootout between two different security groups under the Anambra State police command.
Speaking Thursday on the incident which occurred at Izuchukwu junction, Nnobi/Nnewi Road, Anambra police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said in a statement that the shootout was not meant to disrupt proceedings at the Senator’s funeral, but it was a case of mistaken identity by one of the security groups.
“The Command is aware of the shooting incident that took place at Izuchukwu junction, Nnobi/Nnewi road by 7 pm on Wednesday 20/11/2024 [where] Security Operatives mistook the Police Operatives as unfriendly Forces and opened fire at them.
“However, [the Command] wishes to emphasize that the attack on the operatives was not from nonstate actors or any attempt to disrupt the burial of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
“Preliminary information shows that security operatives on investigation trailed a suspect to a security checkpoint before the gun duel ensued.
“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 taken to hospital. The Command sues for calm to allow for investigations into the incident,” Ikenga said.
Ikenga added that joint security forces have been deployed to ensure Nnewi is calm throughout the burial ceremonies of the late Senator.
