Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
An operative of the South-East Security outfit code-named Ebubeagu, Ajasm Aja, has been shot dead at the venue of All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign ground.
He was reportedly killed by his colleague over N1000.
It was gathered that they were part of the Ebubeagu team drafted to the Isu community, in the Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, to provide security at the APC governorship rally in the area, last Saturday.
After the rally, it was further learnt that the team was directed to bring and secure the party’s flags for subsequent rallies when an altercation ensued between the deceased and his trigger-happy colleague over an amount of money, which each person was to get — a sum of N1,000.
As the altercation raged, it was said that Aja rushed for his Pump Action riffle, but his opponent swiftly pulled his pistol, shot him in the head, and he was said to have died instantly.
A community source, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Today, Saturday 28th January 2023, the APC had their rally at Isu, the council headquarters of Onicha LGA.
“At the close of the event, the Ebubeagu members and G-24 group members loyal to the Onicha LGA Chairman, Mr Chidiebere Uzor (aka Obosi-Aku), were asked to collect back the Party’s flag in readiness for other days’ event.
“In the process of doing so, one of the Ebubeagu members and a leader in the G-24 group, popularly known as Ajasm Aja, who was recently sworn in as Supervisory Councillor for Health in the Onicha council area, was engulfed (sic) in a strong altercation with a co-member.
“As the duo engaged in war of words, Mr Aja pulled his Pump-Action rifle and aimed to shoot at the other colleague. In a swift response, the colleague was quicker in action, pulled a pistol and shot him in the forehead.
“He fell flat immediately and died on the spot.
“This event is coming a few hours after the noble Elders of Onicha-Igboeze called ‘”Umunwanyi Oji-Ofo,” laid a curse on anyone who would engage in any activities targeted at instigating violence in Onicha-Igboeze or at killing a fellow brother or sister.
“Many, after hearing the news of the incidence leading to the sudden demise of Mr Aja believed that he had fallen to the curse of the Umunwanyi Oji-Ofo since he’s known as one of the terror figures in the community.”
Ebubeagu Commander in Ebonyi State, Mr Friday Nnana-Ujor, confirmed the death of the Ebuneagu operative on Monday.
He, however, said the attacker wasn’t an operative of the security outfit, revealing the assailant was a suspected gunman, who also wielded pump action, like his own men.
He said: “No. it was not an Ebubeagu person that shot him.
“That thing was stage-managed; it was people that parked behind a Sienna bus that killed him. The person that did that was sent to do so. People are thinking that it was an Ebubeagu personnel that killed the person, but it is not true.
“It’s because the gun they used in killing the person was Pump Action. No Ebubeagu person goes to the rally ground with arms.
“We had a meeting and made that decision. We are currently investigating the matter and very soon we will arrest the culprit and call journalists to hear from him. I don’t want people to think that it’s politics. Just exercise some patience,” he said.
