Tension has gripped the Amaeze community in Ivo Local Council of Ebonyi State following a clash between the Police and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which resulted in the death of a police officer.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ivo Local Council, Chief Aja Emmanuel, said he received a report from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on the matter.

“The DPO informed me of a clash between the police and civil defence officers in Amaeze community, resulting in the unfortunate death of a police officer. I am yet to receive full details of the incident,” Aja said.

An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, alleged that the deceased officer, identified as Shedrack, may have been mistakenly shot by his colleagues.

The source explained that tension escalated when three Hilux vans conveying about 30 police officers reportedly double-crossed and opened fire on an NSCDC vehicle transporting mining equipment to a site in Amaeze, leading to the killing of the officer.

“During the fracas, Shedrack reportedly tried to disarm a civil defence officer. When other police officers attempted to shoot at the NSCDC operative, they accidentally hit their colleague, who died on the spot. Some others sustained gunshot injuries,” the source said.

The late officer was taken to the morgue, while those injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment. As of press time, both the Police and NSCDC authorities in Ebonyi had yet to issue official statements on the incident.