One dead as police open fire during a football match in Ebonyi

Police in Ebonyi allegedly killed a football fan – The youths in the town reportedly attacked the referee due to a red card issued to one of the teams – The police were criticised for using live ammunition One Obinna Igwe has been left dead while five others were left injured after police allegedly opened fire during a football match in Ebonyi state. According to sources, the tragic incident happened at Ikwo, Ikwo local government area when the police reportedly engaged in a fracas with one of the football teams. The match was between Ndufu Alike and Ndufu Echara Teams and was the final of a Unity Cup competition organized by Chief John Nnabo at Urban Secondary School Ndufu Echara. According to an eyewitness, trouble started when the referee issued a red card to a player from Ndufu Alike team and they conceded a goal shortly after. It was reported that the player returned to the pitch with some other footballers from the bench to attack the referee and it degenerated into a fracas. Some youths of Ikwo reportedly attacked the police too and at the end of the day, one person was killed while two policemen and three other persons were injured. Mr Onyekachi Nwoba who is one of the stakeholders condemned the police’s use of ammunition saying it was against the line of engagement. Mrs Loveth Odah who is the spokesperson of the state police claimed the football fan was killed after some of the youths attempted to seize the policemen’s rifle. She said the commissioner of police has ordered more policemen deployed to the area to prevent breakdown of law and order.