Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Gunmen have reportedly killed a member of the Ebubeagu security outfit in Ebonyi State.
The incident, it was gathered, took place at Okposi community, in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, at 11pm, on Sunday.
The victim, whose name was given as Joseph Nwanja, was said to have been gunned down at a checkpoint in the area.
A source said, “this man was shot dead at Okposi, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State at 11pm by unknown gunmen while he was on duty as Ebubeagu officer.
“His name is Joseph Nwanja. It happened yesterday, Sunday,” the source said.
Commander of Ebubeagu in the State, Nnanna Friday confirmed the incident.
“It happened around 11:45 pm of Sunday night. Somebody called me that some hoodlums were disturbing people in Ugwulangwu, Ohaozara. So, I had to call Ohaozara people because that Ugwulangwu is under Ohaozara.
“So, we met them on the road, the hoodlums started shooting which forced an Ebubeagu vehicle to lose control and run inside the bush,” he said.
He said following the attack, a message was dispatched to all Ebubeagu teams to block all roads so as to intercept the gunmen.
However, the gunmen ran into another checkpoint and gunned down one of the officials as he was carrying out the directive to block the road.
He said the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary.
He also said security agencies are on the trail of the the perpetrators adding that they will soon be nabbed to pay for their crimes.
Meanwhile, a source in the area said the gunmen have written a letter warning against political campaigns in Ohaozara Local Government.
The gunmen in the letter warned that there will be consequences for any political party that embarks on campaigns in the area.