Police Officer Killed in Stop‑and‑Search Shootout in Anambra

A police officer attached to the 29 Police Mobile Force in Awka has been killed in a tragic shootout during a stop-and-search operation on the Onitsha/Owerri Expressway, near Danaks Filling Station in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The incident occurred late Wednesday, causing panic among local residents and roadside vendors as gunfire broke out unexpectedly. The victim, an inspector, was part of a patrol unit conducting routine checks when they stopped a Toyota Sienna reportedly driving against traffic.

Eyewitnesses reported that the officers were unaware the occupants of the vehicle were operatives suspected to be from the Department of State Services (DSS). When flagged down, the DSS personnel allegedly refused to comply and opened fire during the confrontation, fatally wounding the police officer in the lower rib.

“He was rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala and later transferred to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, where he was confirmed dead,” a source told reporters.

The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident on Thursday through its spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who called it a deeply distressing case of “friendly fire.” He noted that the operatives in the unmarked Toyota Sienna were dressed in black, prompting suspicion from the patrol team, which escalated into an exchange of gunfire.

“The situation has been stabilized,” Ikenga said, adding that the matter has now been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for a full investigation.

Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu has called for public calm and assured that all protocols are being followed to ensure justice and prevent future occurrences. The officer’s body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.

This incident comes less than two weeks after a separate tragedy in which a police inspector was accidentally shot dead by his 10-year-old son, who pulled the trigger of his father’s AK-47 rifle at their home in Awka.