An irate mob, on Wednesday, set three police stations ablaze at Igboukwu, Ekwulobia and Oko in the Aguata and Orumba North local government areas of Anambra State.

An eyewitness, who gave his name simply as Goddy, said the Igboukwu Police Station was set ablaze around 8am.

He said trouble began when some policemen on duty in the area killed a commercial motorcyclist on Tuesday while trying to extort him.

Goddy stated, “As I’m talking to you, the place is up in flame. The mob, made up of commercial motorcycle operators, is moving to the Ekwulobia Police Station to also set it ablaze.

“Avoid Ekwulobia park side because a serious fracas is going on between policemen and civilians.

“A policeman was gunned down in Ekwulobia, while one civilian was killed in the Oko area; there are three deaths in the fracas. Three police stations in Ekwulobia, Oko and Igboukwu have been burnt.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the Ugboukwu incident.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, John Abang, had ordered the arrest of the cops involved in the incident, and appealed for calm.

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Mohammed stated, “On Tuesday around 10.30pm, there was an altercation between police operatives and motorcycle riders over some impounded motorcycles as a result of the recent restriction on the movement of motorcycles beyond 9pm in the state.

“The situation degenerated into a chaos, which led to an accidental discharge that hit one motorcycle rider and the burning of the Igboukwu Police Station by irate youths.

“The Commissioner of Police, John Abang, is deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident and has ordered the detention of the policemen involved and a full-scale investigation into the matter.

“The CP further appealed for calm and assured the public that justice will be done in the case and the outcome of police investigation shall be made public in due course.”