Tragedy was averted in Owerrri, Imo state, yesterday, when the officials of the Imo state police command and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allegedly engaged in shoot out at the premises of the latter, on Okigwe Road, Owerri.

But the Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties), to Governor Rochas Okorocha, said despite the hiccup, the maiden exercise held after four years in the state, was successful. The SSA said about 50 trucks and 10 pay loaders were mobilised by the state government to cart away rubbish generated by the residents to dump sites.

The Guardian gathered that a policewoman was going to her duties within the hours of the maiden clean–up exercise (7a.m -10a.m), in the Owerri municipal, when some officers of the NSCDC accosted her. A police source said she identified herself, noting also that she was pregnant, but the corps officials were not satisfied with the identification, leading to her allegedly being beaten up by the security men. As a result, she sustained serious injuries in some parts of her body.

She was subsequently arraigned in a Mobile Court in the NSCDC premises, where about 40 others were arrested for allegedly contravening the restriction of movement during the period.

A team of police officers led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Operations, O. A. Durosemi, arrived the venue, on hearing about the treatment meted to their colleague, and shot sporadically in the air. The shooting led to everyone at the vicinity, including the presiding judicial officer and those about to be tried to scamper for safety. Some escaped to their areas of destination before they were arrested.
 
Speaking with The Guardian shortly after the fisticuff, the organizer for the clean-up exercise, Ibediro, a lawyer, said the policewoman allegedly could not identify herself properly, leading to her arrest. Ibediro said she was subsequently taken to the mobile court, where she was charged and fined accordingly.
 
He expressed delight that the state deputy governor, Eze Madumere, arrived the venue and resolved the matter.