Police explains killing of 20-year old girl in Anambra as community petitions Obiano, others

olice in Anambra state has dismissed as false alleged killing of a 20-year old girl, Miss Chidimma Ezeanochie by officers of the Command in Azia, Ihiala local government area of the State.

The deceased was reportedly shot dead by police operatives, detailed from Awka while on an errand by her mother with her younger brother.

The brother was however said to had escaped, while the deceased was not lucky as indicated in viral video which shown her face riddled with bullets.

But reacting to the incident, Police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said the girl might have been killed during an effort by police operatives to repel attacks by gunmen.

He said the deceased might be caught up in a crossfire and her death is regrettable and painful.

He said: “Is not true, though the facts of the matter are still coming up, but I can confirm to you that yesterday police successfully repel an attack on Police escort team by yet unidentified persons that lay ambushed along Azia road.
“Two rifles were recovered. The innocent girl might be caught up in a crossfire and her death is regrettable and painful. However it is a false claim she was targeted and shot by the police.

“Further details shall be communicated please.”

Meanwhile, the people of Azia community has petitioned the State governor, Willie Obiano and the state Police Command, over the gruesome killing of its indigene on Wednesday.

The petition dated Thursday, November 25 and signed by President General of Azia General Assembly, Dr Nwabueze Tonna said Miss Chidimma Ezeanochie was shot dead by security agents in Azia without any provocation.

The petition reads partly: “Miss Chidimma Ezeanochie aged 20 years hails from Umudansu Village of Azia, in Ihiala local Government Area of Anambra state.

“At about 5 pm on this faithful date,(Thursday 25th Nov. 2021) little Miss Chidimma was sent on an errand by the mother to buy bags of satchet water from one of the shops at Ogwumabiri, located along our major road Orsumoghu-Azia road.

“It was there she met her untimely death from these policemen driving through Azia from Orsumoghu.
“She was accompanied by his junior brother who is 14 years. Miss Chidimma and the brother were shot at, a close range by one of the men of this special unit inside an Amoured vehicle.

“Chidinma’s brother fortunately escaped, but she was unfortunately killed. Bullets scattered our daughters head. She died instantly. It’s quite unimaginable because there was no form of provocation that could be linked to this.

“About 100 meters from the site of this incident, they equally opened fire on a packed sienna space bus by a block industry. We contacted the area Commander on this, he told us that the police men are special Unit from Awka deployed to Orsumoghu against the IPOB boys.

“Azia is totally different from Orsumoghu geographically. We are a very peaceful town with no history of unrest or hiding of criminal elements in the town.

“This murder is gruesome, wicked and totally unacceptable by the community. Presently her body is deposited at Osungwu memorial hospital mortuary, Okija.

“We humbly demand for justice from your good office on the murder of our daughter, little Miss Chidimma Ezeanochi.”