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A 27-year-old motorcycle rider was allegedly shot dead by a police inspector at Banana Junction in Amaifeke town near Orlu, Imo State.
The incident which happened around 3pm on Thursday caused chaos in the area as youths and traders around threatened to invade a nearby police station.
The inspector was among policemen who mounted a roadblock in the area.
It was gathered that they were enforcing the wearing of face masks ordered by the state government to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state when the incident occurred.
The deceased, who was a commercial motorcycle operator, had no face mask on when the inspector stopped him.
The man was asked to pay some amount of money before he could go with his motorcycle, but he refused.
An eyewitness alleged that that the victim, who was carrying a passenger was allegedly shot at a close-range by one of the policemen who were on a stop-and-search duty.
“A police inspector shot and killed an okada rider at Banana Junction for not wearing a face mask. The policeman who stopped the man asked him why he was not wearing a face mask but one thing led to the other and he shot him on a close range. He died on the spot.
“The situation here is getting out of hands. The youths, okada riders, and traders are on rampage. Policemen have taken to their heels. Those at the police station have removed their police uniforms and are putting on plain cloths,” the eyewitness said.
However, the state Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmodele, who confirmed the incident, said those on rampage allegedly inflicted machete wound on one of his officers.
He said: “The situation is being managed. It is true that a policeman killed a man but the situation is not out of control. People whose loved ones were killed have a right to be angry. One of the policemen was also macheted and he is in a hospital.
“I have told all the parties to remain calm. The situation will be handled. I have instructed the area commander to ensure that normalcy is returned. Justice will be served in the matter.”
A detachment of police team were reportedly later sent to the scene to manage the situation.