Anger in Anambra as two are feared dead over police shooting

Alphonsus Nweze, Awka

Palpable anger still persists in Anambra state over the alleged shooting of a man at Tanzern junction, Nkpor, near Onitsha on Saturday by a police orderly said to be attached to one of the political bigwigs who attended the campaign flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Tony Nwoye.

But the Anambra State Police Command in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ms Nkiru Nwode, exonorated Nwoye and his party from being behind the unfortunate incident.

It was however gathered that owing to traffic gridlock at the Tanzarn junction, Nkpor, a sprawling suburb of Onitsha due to chaotic traffic situation that Saturday, the police orderly reportedly shot and killed a young man driving a Camry car.

According to our source, the man was perceived to be blocking the VIP’s convoy in the chaotic traffic situation causing the overzealous orderly to come out of his car, pulled out his gun and shot the man at the chest at close range.

The man was said to have immediately slumped and died even as the incident caused stampede with everybody running for their dear lives as many thought it was an armed robbery operation.

In the ensuing stampede, there was a head-on collision which killed one of the drivers, bringing the number of deaths to two.
When the people realised that it was not robbery incident, they charged back in anger but the convoy had since sped off.

However, another police vehicle which passed the place became the victim as they burnt it but the police officers escaped unhurt.
Nwode however gave a different account, saying that the man was being pursued by a police team from DMGS Round About but was blocked by the traffic hold-up at Tanzern junction.

When the policemen caught up with the man, they shot and killed him, stating that their men who perpetrated the act have been detained.

She also said that police was searching for the hit and run driver who killed another man in the ensuing commotion.
She warned the people to avoid spreading rumours capable of causing disaffection in the state.