TheCable

An angry mob has attacked and killed a policeman over the death of a woman and two children in Onitsha, Anambra state.

The incident occurred on Thursday after a truck carrying sand ran into the woman and children.

It was learnt that the truck driver lost control while trying to evade the police officer who attempted to stop him.

According to NAN, after the accident occurred the police officers made attempts to leave the scene but the mob attacked them.

“A tipper driver who was carrying sharp sand tried to meander his way past the policemen at the checkpoint but in the attempt to escape ran into the woman and children,” a witness said.

“I wouldn’t know exactly why the tipper driver was stopped but immediately the accident happened, the policemen around the area made effort to leave the scene but were attacked by the mob.”

A witness said that the mob spontaneously chased the policemen and beat up two of them, while the others escaped with their guns.

It was further learnt that the factory along the road, where the policemen were on special duty, was set ablaze by the mob.

Nkeiru Nwode, spokesperson of the Anambra police command, said the incident was “just an accident”.

Nwode said the police were against unlawful assembly and would not relent in efforts to maintain peace and order in the state.

“It was just an accident. Three people died on the spot and their remains have been deposited in the mortuary,” he said.

“The scene of the accident has also been barricaded and the police are in control of the situation.”