A police officer with the enforcement team from the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) lost his life at the Terminus Market in Jos, Plateau State, where he was fatally shot by a colleague.
According to sources, security personnel, comprising both police officers and soldiers, had recently been deployed by the state authorities to crack down on street trading in the vicinity.
This move was to ensure strict adherence to regulations around the Terminus Market.
An eye witness, Ibrahim Musa recounted that the officer was accidentally shot amidst the chaos of pursuing traders.
He explained that around noon on Wednesday, while security personnel were chasing traders, an officer accidentally shot a policeman in the neck, causing his immediate death.
He said officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) promptly transported the body to a hospital.
An unnamed market official corroborated the account, confirming that the officer fell victim to friendly fire.
The tragic incident escalated tensions in the vicinity, prompting the deployment of teargas to disperse the agitated crowd.
State Police Command Spokesperson DSP Alabo Alfred, assured that investigations had commenced on the matter.