The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over alleged involvement in the death of a police officer in the State.
The police officer reportedly died when the NSCDC personnel attempted to block the arrest of some suspects by the police.
In a statement signed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, a full-scale investigation into the incident was ongoing.
Ukandu explained that operatives of the Command, while acting on a petition on 27th August, 2025, at about 4pm proceeded to Ivo local government area to effect the arrest of suspects mentioned in the petition.
“On arrival, the officers properly identified themselves to the suspects in the presence of personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and soldiers providing security at a quarry facility where the suspects are engaged,” the PPRO explained.
He said that the suspects willingly submitted themselves to the police operatives and the soldiers on the ground permitted the officers to proceed with the arrest.
“However, in clear defiance of the law, the NSCDC team leader obstructed the process, ordering his men to block the police vehicle and insisting that the suspects could not be taken away,” Ukandu said.
He added that the blockage was against appeals by the suspects themselves who urged the NSCDC personnel to allow them to follow the police to answer the petition.
“The NSCDC officer refused and forcefully attempted to seize a rifle from one of the policemen. In the ensuing struggle, he discharged the firearm, fatally wounding a Police officer,” the police image maker said.
SP Ukandu said the injured officer was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead.
He added that the NSCDC officer responsible for the incident has since been arrested, while a full-scale investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The Ebonyi State Command maintained that no individual has the authority to obstruct the Nigeria Police Force in the lawful discharge of its constitutional mandate.
