Tag: Gunmen

Tragedy struck in Akabo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State on Tuesday when gunmen killed two police officers and a civilian. 

The incident occurred around 6 am, causing panic among residents and passersby.

According to eyewitnesses, the policemen were on duty at the junction when the armed hoodlums attacked, fatally shooting them. 

The police officers and other victims were seen covered in the pool of their blood. 

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community with residents calling for increased security measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Read Also: Gunmen kill Enugu politician

A resident, Ozuzu, revealed that the officers were consistently present at the junction as early as 6 am daily.

“We always see them there on duty even  Sundays as early as 6 am,” he said. 

Imo Police spokesman, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident, describing it as “unfortunate.” 

He stated that two officers were confirmed dead and the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has mobilised a tactical operation to the scene to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“Currently, a massive operation is underway in the area to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the heinous crime,” he said.

Gunmen have shot and killed a popular politician in Enugu State, Ejike Ukwueze.

It was gathered that Ukwueze was reportedly killed on Friday night while driving in a local area, Neke Odenigbo, in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state.

In a viral video, Ukwueze and his car were shot multiple times, with bullet holes visible in the vehicle.

The victim was the immediate younger brother of the member who represented Isi-Uzo State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, late Chijioke Ukwueze, who in 2020 slumped and died during a plenary session of the house.

Read Also: Gunmen kill Enugu politician Ukwueze

A source close to the family alleged that the family suspects the killing was politically motivated, suggesting it was an assassination as the victim was becoming influential in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area political circle ahead of the October local government elections.

“Yeah, I heard he was a strong contender. Aside from having the intention of running for the LG election, he was becoming a force in the Isi-Uzo political affairs, standing in for his dear late brother who was one of the most accepted and powerful political stakeholders in Isi-Uzo,” the source told newsmen.

Meanwhile, the police authorities in Enugu State are yet to comment on the incident.

Gunmen on Sunday night killed two and abducted one at Okija community in Ihiala local government area of Anambra State.

The incident, which occured around 9pm, created tension in the area. 

One of those killed was the Secretary general of Okija Progressive Union, Peter Awa, a lawyer.

The other was Izuchukwu Igwenagha, popularly known in the area as (Onwa)

The third person, The Nation gathered, was whisked away by the gunmen, over what some people described as a land tussle.

While Okija Secretary, who was also the Chancellor of the Knights of St Mulumba, Okija Sub Council, was killed in a market square in his Umudioka village, Izuchukwu Igwenagha was murdered in his Isieke village.

However, the business man kidnapped at Nkwo Okija while he was driving home from a function, had not been identified. 

The Nation further gathered, that before the invasion of gunmen in Okija on Sunday, the community was the most secured in Anambra because of its security architecture. 

It was also learnt that neighbouring communities were coming to conduct burials and weddings in the town because of the security in place 

The Okija Secretary was elected in 2023 during  a town union election conducted by the Anambra Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters.

Read Also: JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap four in Abuja community, injure others

Only recently, The Nation, learnt, there was an attempt to kidnap his wife , also a lawyer, at Ihiala, which failed.

It was further gathered that he attended a village meeting few hours before his murder.

Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, was ‘not available’ when contacted on phone but one of the Senior Police officers in the state confirmed it.

The source, who did not want to be mentioned, told The Nation that security operatives had already been deployed in the area.

A renowned Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Basil Gbusuo, has been kidnapped in Anambra state by unknown gunmen.

The Catholic priest, who lives in the Onitsha Diocese was said to have been kidnapped along Eke-Nkpor, Obosi, Idemili North local government area on Wednesday, May 15.

A statement issued by the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha chapter confirmed the kidnap of the priest.

The state police command confirmed the incident on Thursday, May 16, in a statement.

When contacted, the police public relations officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, SP, confirmed the incident

He said the command had mounted surveillance to track down the hoodlums.

He stated: “Anambra Police Command has launched a manhunt for the abductors and possible rescue of Fr. Basil Chukwuemeka which sad incident occurred at Nkpor Junction, Onitsha.

“The Command is already working with some eyewitnesses to the incident in the ongoing operation

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, while addressing the Catholic priests allayed their fears and assured them that the Command would do everything to rescue the priest unhurt and arrest the abductors.”

The statement by the church, said His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, had called on all Christ’s faithful and people of goodwill to pray for the quick and safe release of the priest.

Read Also: JUST IN: Gunmen kill pregnant woman, eight others in Benue community

The Archdiocese said it was also intensifying efforts to secure Fr. Gbuzuo’s freedom, while committing the priest to the “powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers.”

The statement signed by the Chancellor of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Prudentius E. Aroh, read in part, “With sadness, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo.

“The sad incident occurred yesterday morning, Wednesday, 15th May, 2024, along Eke Nkpor-Obosi bypass at about 8 am.

“He is a priest in residence at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Ogidi. Until now, the abductors have not established any contact with anybody.

“His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, invites all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of the priest as we intensify our efforts to ensure his freedom.

“We commend our brother, Fr. Basil, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers.”