The Anambra State Police Command on Sunday said it had killed a man in possession of 15 bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp as he tried to escape search.

This is contrary to the rumour making the rounds that the man was killed by a security man attached to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Tony Nwoye.

In a statement made available to journalists in Awka, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Nkeiruka Nwode, the command described the incident as unfortunate.

According to her, the incident happened on Friday at about 6pm at Tarzan junction, Nkpor on the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway.

She explained that a Police patrol team on stop-and-search duty had unsuccessfully attempted to stop a driver in a Camry car on a routine check.

While saying that the Police team had to chase the suspect from Dennis Memorial Grammar Schooljunction up to Tarzan junction where he was accosted, Nwode said that a scuffle ensued in a bid to search the suspect’s car, explaining that in the scuffle, the Police shot the victim and he died on spot.

Nwode's statement reads in part: “At about 1800hrs of 20/10/2017, a Police patrol team on stop-and-search duties stopped the driver of a suspected Camry vehicle for routine check.

“However, the driver failed to stop as directed. He was chased by the Police team from Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) roundabout, Onitsha and subsequently accosted at Tarzan junction, Nkpor as a result of traffic build-up.

“In a bid to search the vehicle properly, a melee ensued and the driver was shot by Police. Unfortunately the driver died on the spot.

“A thorough search of the vehicle revealed 15 bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

“Consequently, the angry mob set ablaze security pick-up van that was seen approaching the junction. The driver of the vehicle escaped unhurt.

“Sadly, a motor boy on an approaching trailer vehicle on sighting the angry mob jumped down from the trailer and lost his life at the spot. He was reported to have been crushed to death by a hit-and-run vehicle.

“Some miscreants unaware of the true facts behind the incident took advantage of the situation and gathered up for a mob action.”

The PPRO, while stating that the Police officers involved in the incident were in custody and undergoing interrogation, appealed to members of the public, especially those who witnessed the incident to feel free to help provide information to the Police to help in arresting the fleeing driver.