An accidental discharge killing a bus driver by a policeman in Onitsha, Anambra State, has resulted in the killing of at least 10 Northerners in Onitsha and Asaba in Delta State.
The driver of the bus, of South East stock, was reportedly shot by the policeman, a Northerner, for refusing to part with a N50 bribe, which the police usually collects at checkpoints in Anambra State.
The development led to people from the South East going on rampage, attacking any Northerner in sight.
The effect of the development spread quickly from Onitsha into Asaba, which is a neightbouring town.
Sources told The Eagle Online that but for the quick deployment of a combined team of the military and the police, the number of casualties would have been higher.
Some Nigerians have described the killing of the bus driver by the policeman as an acid test for the recently appointed acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar.
The thinking is that the handling of the case would go a long was in showing his attitude towards corruption in the force.
Some have also called for the totla dismantling of roadblocks in anambra State.