The Anambra State Command has regretted the shooting to death of one Mrs. Ebelechukwu Emeka of Igbuala Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area, Anambra State, by a Police Inspector on duty along Owerri-Oba road.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Haruna, said: “At about 0813hrs, a police Inspector attached to Operation Nkpochapu patrol team while on duty along Owerri – Oba road accidentally pulled out the trigger of his rifle without applying safety catch and misfired.

“As a result the ammunition hit a woman who was later identified as Mrs Ebelechukwu Emeka female, aged 38 years, who was standing by the road side.”

The Incident was said to have generated high tension in the area leading to road barricade by the rampaging youths who also descended on the Police inspector.

But police patrol teams led by DPO Ojoto Division rushed to the scene, rescued the Inspector who was badly manhandled from the mob and restored normalcy with the assistance of some eminent persons in the area.

Though the Inspector and the woman victim were rushed to the Sahara hospital in the area for medical attention, the woman was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on arrival and her corpse has been deposited at gateway mortuary Oba, Idemili Local Government Area for autopsy.

According to the statement, the situation has been brought under control and the police Inspector responsible in Custody.

Haruna said the case is under investigation in order to ascertain actual cause of the incident and bring perpetrators to Justice.

The command while warning members of the public against taking law into their hands reiterated the commitment of the security agencies towards providing adequate protection of life and properties of all citizens in the state.

The statement called on members of the public to feel free and go about their lawful businesses.

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