TWO INJURED AS POLICE ATTEMPTED ARREST TRIGGERS GUNFIRE AT ONITSHA HEAD BRIDGE

Read Time:1 Minute, 51 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

Two persons sustained gunshot injuries on Wednesday during an attempted arrest by police officers at the River Niger Head Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, triggering panic and disrupting vehicular and pedestrian movement in the area.

The incident, which occurred around noon, reportedly caused a gridlock along the busy Onitsha-Awka Expressway as a confrontation broke out between police operatives and some suspected hoodlums.

Eyewitnesses said the two victims were shot during the confrontation and later became unconscious before they were rushed to a nearby hospital.

One of the eyewitnesses said the incident began when police officers stopped the victims for questioning and attempted to arrest them after they allegedly resisted.

“The incident occurred this afternoon. It arose from a confrontation between the police officers and the victims. They were being stopped by the officers during questioning. In an attempt to arrest them, they resisted the arrest and the police fired some shots at them,” the source said.

The incident reportedly led to skirmishes around the Bridgehead Market, forcing residents, traders and commuters to scamper to safety until additional police personnel arrived at the scene.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the confrontation occurred after the suspects allegedly resisted arrest, resulting in the gunshot injuries.

Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, visited the scene and addressed the crowd before proceeding to the hospital to see the victims.

According to him, the commissioner assured the victims of the command’s support and pledged to personally ensure that their medical expenses were covered.

He said the CP had also ordered a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, particularly the circumstances surrounding the discharge of the firearm.

“The investigation will establish the facts and ensure that appropriate action is taken based on its findings,” Ikenga quoted the commissioner as saying.

The police commissioner appealed to members of the public to remain calm and peaceful while the investigation continues.

Ikenga reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, respect for human life and the rule of law.

He added that vehicular and pedestrian movement around the Head Bridge area had been restored after the situation was brought under control.