Official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) allegedly shot a commercial driver dead in Abia State

In Abia state on the 15th of April, a commercial bus driver was allegedly shot dead by an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), at Isiala Ngwa Division.

The deceased was reportedly carrying perishable and non-perishable food stuffs in his vehicle, when he was stopped by the NSCDC official.

However, the driver and the official later got into an altercation, which the reason for the argument was not verified at the moment but some individuals have attested that it was over bribe.

It was reported that the driver tried to drive off during the altercation and the NSCDC official allegedly shot at him, killing him

Then the death of the driver led to heavy traffic on the Umuikaa axis of Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway as angered youths in that area took to the road to rally against the killing and also attempted lynching the NSCDC official.

Then the NSCDC official narrowly fled by running into a police station in the area.

Furthermore, an eyewitness who spoke to DailyPost said: 

“the driver carrying tomatoes among other food items approached the Civil Defence checkpoint where they (NSCDC) were enforcing the order of the governor (Ikpeazu) on COVID-19 after they flagged him down.

“We didn’t know what they were discussing initially, but when tempers started flaring, the driver was accusing him (NSCDC) personnel of extortion.

“The driver said that he can’t give him more than what he has given (bribe) to him (the NSCDC official), insisting that the restriction order doesn’t affect drivers carrying food items.

“When the temper was high, we left and were watching the drama from afar. The driver tried driving off and the next thing we heard was a gunshot. We all ran away and by the time we came back, we saw the driver in the pool of his blood.”

Meanwhile, the state governor has expressed shock over the inccident.

The in a press release signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu and made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Wednesday, the state governor criticised the act.

The governor also plead the public to remain calm and not to take law into their own hands.

The statement reads: “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the State Commissioner of Police to immediately apprehend the suspect(s) and fully investigate the circumstances leading to the latest unfortunate incident at Umuikaa junction and ensure that justice is done swiftly.

“We commiserate with the family and friends of the deceased and, once again, call on security agents bearing arms to be responsible and follow relevant service rules regarding the use of firearms.”