Follow Us on Google
From Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki and Wilson Okereke, Afikpo
Gunmen have reportedly murdered a member of the Ebubeagu security outfit in Ebonyi State.
This is coming less than 12 hours after the South East Governors’ Forum (SEGF) rose from its meeting in Enugu, on Sunday, vowing to smoke out criminals, especially kidnappers from any part of the region.
Daily Sun gathered that the incident occurred in Okposi community, in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, at 11pm, on Sunday.
The victim, identified as Joseph Nwanja (a.k.a Ogologo Mgbom) was allegedly gunned down at about 11pm on Sunday around the Court Area Roundabout in Ohaozara Local Government Area, where his team mounted a roadblock.
His death was greeted with apprehension as several people who saw him on duty that night did not have the slightest inkling that such misfortune would happen to the hard-working welder by vocation. Enraged youths of his village had reportedly taken to the streets protesting the dastard killing of their member before some elders prevailed on them to calm down.
Nwanja’s killing has instilled fear in the residents of the area, particularly the members of the Ebubeagu security outfit, as this was the first time they would witness such an incident. Members of the state-sponsored security outfit had been severely attacked by gunmen in parts of the state, with many of them losing their lives.
Local sources told Daily Sun that the Ohaozara council chairman, Ajah Chinonso Consider, and the Obiozara Police Division were immediately informed of the incident, while his body was later evacuated to the morgue.
When contacted, the Ebebeagu Commander in the state, Friday Nnanna, confirmed the incident, adding that the body of the deceased had been deposited in the mortuary.
He said: “It happened around 11:45pm on Sunday night. Somebody called me and said some hoodlums were disturbing people in Ugwulangwu, Ohaozara LGA. So, I had to call Ohaozara people because Ugwulangwu is under Ohaozara. So, I met them on the road as the hoodlums started shooting while Ebubeagu vehicle ran inside the bush, as a result of the attack.
“Meanwhile, the body of the victim has been deposited in the mortuary and investigation is ongoing.”
Police authorities were yet to speak on what happened at the time of filing this report.
