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The shootout occurred in the Alaoji Area of Aba, involving police patrol teams from the Police Area Command in Aba and another team from Umuahia, the state capital.
According to reports, the confusion arose because the team from Umuahia was operating in commercial buses, which led their colleagues from Aba to mistake them for IPOB members. This misunderstanding resulted in a tragic encounter, with shop owners and passersby fleeing for safety amidst the chaos. Unfortunately, a truck driver was killed by a stray bullet during the incident.
The police spokesperson for Abia State, Maureen Chinaka, has acknowledged the shooting and confirmed that the authorities are investigating the matter.
She noted that preliminary investigations have not found credible evidence to suggest that the police officers involved mistook each other for IPOB members.
However, she confirmed that the shooting resulted in the death of a civilian and urged anyone with relevant information to assist the police in their ongoing investigation.
This incident highlights the challenges and risks associated with security operations in areas with a strong presence of separatist groups, where tensions can lead to tragic outcomes.
