Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Ahmed Ammani, has ordered the intensification of the discreet investigations and manhunt of the subversive criminal elements in parts of Enugu State.
He said some criminal elements suspected to be IPOB/ESN renegades in the night hours of 22/02/2023 at different locations, ambushed and simultaneously attacked and murdered Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) members, and also attempted to attack the convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate.
The Spokesperson for the command, DSP, Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement released in Enugu on Thursday said the Commissioner stated this after visiting the scenes of the incidents at Topland by Ebony Paint Road and Eke-Otu both in Amechi-Awkunanaw, Enugu.
Ndukwe said the commissioner, while strongly condemning the barbaric acts, has commiserated with the parties and family members of the deceased.
According to him, the CP has vowed to ensure that the perpetrators are fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“He, therefore, reaffirms the undiluted commitment of the Police and other Security Agencies to emplace adequate security for a peaceful and credible elections in the State.
“He also urged the citizens not to succumb to the cowardly antics of the hoodlums, which is aimed at creating fear and to disrupt the electoral process,” he said.
The PRO said that preliminary investigations into the incidents show that the armed hoodlums, operating in a tricycle, attacked a PDP campaign Mini Bus at Topland by Ebony Paint Road, Amechi-Awkunanaw, Enugu, and used petrol bomb to set it ablaze, burning to death its driver, simply identified as one KC Great (male).
“In a similar fashion, another set of the same armed assailants, operating in a Hilux vehicle, attacked and set ablaze the campaign vehicle of the Labour Party, at Eke-Otu Amechi-Awkunanaw Enugu, burning to death the Party’s Senatorial Candidate for Enugu East Senatorial District, Barr. Oyibo Chukwu (male) and his Personal Assistant (male) with him in the vehicle.
“However, the miscreants were repelled by Security Operatives while attempting to also attack the convoy of the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Eke, Agbani, Nkanu West LGA.
“Normalcy has generally been restored in the mentioned locations, while further development will be communicated,” he said.