A labourer who was struck by a stray bullet during a clash between policemen and a soldier in Ebonyi State has died, News About Nigeria reports.
The Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, confirmed the incident on Wednesday.
The tragic event reportedly occurred on Wednesday morning in Ugwuachara village, located in the Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state.
According to reports, the deceased labourer was hit by a stray bullet during a scuffle in which the policemen allegedly attempted to disarm the soldier, who was in mufti.
Three others sustained injuries in the clash, which involved the soldier riding a motorcycle and policemen on a stop-and-search operation.
The State Commissioner of Police explained that the policemen had stopped the soldier for a routine search, leading to a confrontation between the two parties.
She revealed that the soldier’s identity has been confirmed, stating that he is assigned to Operation Kachia Yama in Kaduna but was on a pass in Ebonyi State at the time of the incident.
“The soldier was trying to disarm one of the policemen, and during the struggle, the bullet discharged, hitting a bystander,” Uche-Anya clarified. “It was not a case of the policemen deliberately opening fire on bystanders. Unfortunately, the bullet struck the labourer.”
She added, “One person died, and three others were injured, but they are currently responding to treatment in the hospital. We have confirmed the identity of the soldier, who is stationed in Kaduna. Both the soldier and the policemen involved are now in our custody.”
