A cold war is brewing between the Anambra Police Command and the Department of Security Service (DSS) over the alleged killing of a Police Inspector.
The incident happened in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area along Owerri/ Onitsha expressway near the Danaks filling station during a ‘stop and search’ exercise by the police, reports The Nation.
It has heightened tension in the state as the Police and DSS are pointing accusing fingers at themselves.
Though the Anambra Police Command has described the incident as unfortunate and a mistake, some of the policemen are spoiling for retaliation while the DSS are not taking it lying low.
The victim, Inspector Bello Abdullah of the 29 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Awka, was part of a patrol team conducting routine checks when they intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle reportedly driving against traffic.
Unaware that the vehicle was used by DSS operatives, the police team flagged it down for a search.
The DSS personnel allegedly resisted the move, and in the ensuing altercation, a fired bullet hit the victim.
He was said to have been rushed to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi but confirmed dead on arrival.
Anambra Police command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police, SP, told our correspondent today the two security outfits have settled amicably.
He described it as a mistake, adding that the armed security operatives, in black attire, were said to have emerged from an unmarked Toyota Sienna vehicle, sparking suspicion and leading to an exchange of fire.
He said the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Awka for further investigation.
But one of the Senior Police Officers, who spoke with our correspondent in confidence, said the command would not allow such an incident to die, describing it as an affront to the Police.
Another Senior DSS source, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent what the stop-and- search team did was an embarrassment to them, adding that they always claim superiority over other security agencies.
“Anyway they want it we are ready. We’ve kept quiet for a long time. Our handicap now is that the current Police commissioner, Ikioye Orutugu is a nice person. Otherwise, most of his men behave like untrained people,” the source said.
