By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Fear and anxiety have taken over Igboukwu community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State following the shooting of a motorcycle rider by a policeman.

News Express learnt that the shooting was as a result of an altercation between police operatives and motorcycle riders over some impounded motorcycles.

Information has it that the motorcycles were impounded on the heels of a recent restriction on movement of motorcycles beyond 9pm in the state.

It was also gathered that the shooting degenerated into a chaos, leading to the burning of four police stations in Igboukwu, Ekwulobia, Oko, and the former SARS Office Ekwulobia,

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, said: “On the 15/12/2020 at about 10:30pm, there was an altercation between police operatives and motorcycle riders over some impounded motorcycles as a result of the recent restriction on movement of motorcycles beyond 9pm in the state.

“The situation degenerated into a chaos which led to an accidental discharge that hit one motorcycle rider and burning of Igboukwu police station by irate youth.

“The Commissioner of Police CP John B. Abang is deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident and has ordered for detention of the policemen involved and full scale investigation into the matter.”

According to Mohammed, the CP has appealed for calm and assured the public that justice would be done in the case adding that the outcome of Police investigation shall be made public in due course.

The shooting is happening barely two weeks after the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu visited the state to inspect the extent of damage of Police offices damaged during the #EndSARS protest.

During the visit, he said that no form of protest would be tolerated in the country again and charged police officers to employ the use of force when necessary.

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