Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Gunmen at the weekend invaded an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally venue in Ebonyi killing one person.
The wife of a Journalist in the State narrowly escaped death during the attack when the gunmen shot her and her companions.
The incident happened at Ezzagu Ward 1 in Ishielu Local Government Area where the Ebonyi Central senatorial candidate of the party, Ken Eze, visited for campaign.
An indigene of the area and a Journalist, Mr Benjamin Nworie whose wife escaped death during the attack, narrated how the gunmen stormed the campaign ground and opened fire on party faithful.
He said the campaign had already ended successful and while the supporters were waiting to depart to their various destinations, the gunmen invaded the venue and started shooting sporadically.
“It was around 5:30pm on Saturday, February, that I received a distressed call from my wife, Eunice, that she was in trouble. Her emotions were high, and palpitating profusely”
“She narrated to me that she was calling me from a bush where she scampered for safety, which I sent a rescue team from my nearby village. She was unhurt,” he said.
Mr Nworie, who is the State Vice Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) narrated that the wife was conveyed to the venue by the National president of Ogboji General Assembly, John Anyalagu.
Others that went with them in the car were Mr Anyalagu’s wife and younger brother, Emeka Nwusulor.
“Unfortunately, why they were standing by the roadside for John to drive out his car for them to return back to Abakaliki, the hoodlums invaded and killed Emeka who was standing-by,” he said.
The hoodlums, Mr Nworie narrated also burnt a Hiace Bus and one ash-coloured Vehicle before zooming off.
Mr Nworie while calling on security agents to up their game in protecting lives and property also lamented the proliferation of firearms in the State.
Police spokesperson, Chris Anyanwu, could not be reached for comments.
Increasing political violence
Ebonyi State has become notorious for political violence of late with attacks on candidates on the rise across the state.
Late last year, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Bernard Odoh, and his convoy were attacked in the Izzi Local Government.
Though no life was lost in that attack, one of the cars in his convoy was damaged by gunshot fired by the attackers.
Mr Odoh, early this month, also escaped death in a deadly attack in which two security personnel attached to him died. The attack also happened in Ishielu Local Government.
Last Friday, gunmen stormed the campaign venue of the PDP governorship candidate in Izzi Local Government Area destroying cars and other properties.
