In a tragic incident along the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Anambra State, one person lost their life, and several others sustained injuries during a clash between protesting youths and suspected operatives of the Anambra State Anti-touts Agency.
The victim, identified as Chimezie from Achina, was fatally hit by a stray bullet while standing on the balcony of his residence. The protesting youths, expressing discontent with alleged arrests and harassment by the anti-tout squad, ignited bonfires on the road, impeding traffic.
Sources indicate that the anti-tout operatives resorted to firing shots to disperse the protesters, leading to panic among residents and traders. The victim’s death occurred during this chaotic situation. Officers from Okpoko Police Station intervened, evacuating the deceased’s body to the mortuary.
An anonymous senior police officer confirmed the death, attributing it to the unprofessional handling of firearms by the anti-tout operatives. The protest stemmed from the youths’ grievances regarding midnight arrests and intimidation by the anti-tout squad.
Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. The incident underscores the tensions between law enforcement agencies and communities, raising concerns about the appropriate use of force and the need for addressing community grievances through dialogue.
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