The worsening insecurity in the southeastern part of Nigeria is calling for serious concern. Reports of killings have become a normal phenomenon in the region, and it is time concerned bodies arose and do something about it. In just about 48 hours after some unknown hoodlums killed six people in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, a southeastern state, another killing has taken place again Aba, Abia State economic hub. Premium Times Online News reported.
The hoodlums attacked the officers at their checkpoint at around 5:30 p.m on Friday, in Aba, Abia State. The killings that happened in Imo State came merely a few hours before another attack took place on a police facility in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, another State in south-east region, where five people were reported dead. Premium Times had reported.
According to the Premium Times, the recent attack took place at Opobo Junction along Ikot Ekpene Road, Ogbor Hill in Aba, Abia State. An eyewitness, identified as Tochukwu Ogbuagu, told newsmen that the officers were going around their normal check-ups on vehicles when the criminals launched the attack on them.
Mr. Tochukwu Ogbuagu said, “They were there doing their check, those gunmen swooped on them with a Sienna Vehicle, stepped out and started firing at them. Unfortunately, their team leader was gunned down and also one other police officer whom I knew very well,” he told Premium Times correspondent. “They didn’t take their guns, they just gunned them down and took off.”
According to residents of the area, the officers were from Azuka Police Divisional Headquarters in the state. Speaking under condition of anonymity, one of the residents said those who were doing their businesses ran away during the incident.
He said, “Many people were running helter-skelter to avoid being hit by stray bullets. Many abandoned food items and ran away. Some were matching those food items while running away,” the eyewitness confirmed to newsmen.
As at the time of filling this report, the Police spokesperson in Abia State, Maureen Chinaka was yet to answer to calls and texts messages sent to him. Another officer who wished not to be named confirmed the tragic incident to Premium Times this Saturday morning. “Yes. It is true. Two of them were killed yesterday (Friday),” the police officer told Premium Times correspondent.