Pandemonium in Ebonyi as gunmen attack hotel, kill one, set vehicles on fire

Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was thrown into pandemonium on Sunday night as gunmen attack a hotel, killed one and set several vehicles ablaze. 

The local government chairman, Ikechukwu Odono, was attacked by unidentified gunmen, according to information obtained by Allnews.ng

Numerous cars in the area are said to have burned as a result of the attack.

After being approached about the development, the acting Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the attack to reporters over the phone on Monday.

He stated that one person was killed in the tragic incident that happened at Ezzamgbo Crossroads on Sunday night.

The Police PRO stated that more officials have been dispatched to the region to investigate the circumstances behind the attack.

The latest attack occurred just two weeks after a POS operator was attacked and killed in the same neighbourhood.

Allnews.ng had also reported that the capital of Ebonyi State, Abakaliki was thrown into a state of mourning early on Friday following the deaths of five police officers at the hands of gunmen. 

The unfortunate occurrence happened at Ebyia bridge, along Hilltop/Nwoke road at around five in the morning, according to local sources.

In recent weeks, the active of gunmen in Ebonyi State has increased and become rampant with both civilians and security officers falling victim. 

Last week, Allnews.ng reported that two security guards and two others were killed by gunmen in the Iboko community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

According to reports from the community, the gunmen disguised as natives of the area stopped at a local market and bought food items before unleashing an attack on the people.

Following the attack, several people, including the traders and school children scampered for safety. An eyewitness, who works in Abakiliki, confirmed the incident, saying she narrowly missed being a victim

“The unknown gunmen first stopped at a popular filling station at Iboko and filled their vehicles before killing two persons there. They moved to where Neighbourhood Vigilante members were and opened fire on them, killing one Fredrick Idike and another person.

“They equally used an axe to slice two of the vigilante members, whose bodies have been deposited in the nearest morgue.

“Yesterday was Iboko Market and the ugly incident made the traders start running for safety. The whole market was deserted because of the ugly incident.”

The Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ukandu Joshua confirmed the incident. 

Joshua said: “Yes, it happened. Two lives were lost. But we are still investigating.”