A confrontation between members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the Nigeria Police Force and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at a disputed quarry site in Ebonyi State has left a police officer dead and two civilians wounded.
The incident occurred Wednesday at the Mboro Ajaenyim Quarry in Amaeze community, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area. The NSCDC’s Ebonyi command public relations officer, Assistant Superintendent of Corps Emmanuella Ibeneme, confirmed the deaths and injuries to NAN on Thursday and said investigations are ongoing.
“One police officer was killed while two civilians sustained gunshot injuries and are being treated in hospital,” Ibeneme said. She added that NSCDC personnel had been deployed to provide security for a company operating at the site, which she said is a critical national asset.
Ebonyi Police public relations officer DSP Joshua Ukandu also confirmed the fatality and said police were investigating the circumstances. “Ebonyi Police arrested an NSCDC officer who obstructed a lawful arrest at Ivo, attempted to seize a rifle and fatally shot a policeman,” he said. “Investigation is ongoing; the command warns against obstructing police duties.”
Ogbonna Nwaeni, chairman of the Amaeze Development Union and a witness to the incident, told NAN the clash followed an alleged forceful entry into the quarry by Hephziba and Beulah Concepts Limited. He said the company brought heavy equipment to the site without the consent of the host community and was reportedly supported by NSCDC personnel and some youths.
“Both security agencies went confrontational in their approaches, leading to an exchange of gunfire that resulted in the death of a police officer,” Nwaeni said. He added that he had alerted the state police commissioner earlier in an attempt to avert violence.
A community leader, Dr. Gilbert Aro, condemned the clash and urged a thorough, impartial investigation to determine what led to the fatal shooting. A representative of Hephziba and Beulah, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the killing but declined to provide further details.
The episode has heightened tensions in Amaeze, where ownership and operational rights over the quarry remain contested between the community and the operators. Authorities from both security services said they will complete investigations to establish culpability and circumstances surrounding the incident.
