By Rita Ugo
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have ambushed the convoy of the chairman of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, Chijioke Ezugwu.
However, the chairman and his security aides dislodged the kidnappers, who ran into the bush after a gun duel.
The assailants were said to be armed kidnappers who have been terrorizing Uzo-Uwani LGA and environs in the state.
They got more than they bargained for when they laid in ambush along the way to attack motorists plying the road leading to Umulokpa, last week.
As fate would have it, the first vehicles that came on the scene were the convoy of the LG boss, Ezugwu, who was leaving the council headquarters after a security meeting where measures to wipe out the criminals were discussed.
Reports said that as soon as his vehicle got to the spot where they laid ambush, the criminals, who were dressed like herdsmen and armed with AK-47 rifles, jumped into the road to stop the vehicle.
It was gathered that the LG boss, who was in charge of security in the area before he won election, quickly moved into action and confronted the hoodlums. He was reportedly able to dislodge the four marauders who ran into the thick bush.
Witness account said, as soon as the LG boss jumped out of his official car with his aides, the criminals fired several shots but the council boss, who was also armed, replied with more intensive maneuvering, which scared the hoodlums and they disappeared into the thick bush.
Daily Sun also gathered that, with his security aides, Ezugwu pursued the criminals deep into the bush as they took to their heels, after which they came back to the main road and continued their trip.
Sources said, following this development, the chairman directed the newly constituted vigilance team and farm protection squads to swing into action and comb all the affected areas, with a view to rounding up the criminals.
The LG chairman had taken other security measures, including the recruitment of more operatives and restructuring of the Neighbourhood Watch, enhancement of intelligence gathering, procurement of security equipment, strengthening collaboration with formal security agencies, community sensitization and stakeholder engagement.
Meanwhile, sources said that the chairman has since joined his vigilance group and other security outfits in the area to carry out day and night patrols in all the volatile spots of the local government council.