……..more attacks feared as the siege may linger
A group of yet-to-be identified gunmen allegedly numbering about six has again invaded Umudunu village, Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State at the weekend, in a shooting spree and killing one Mr Chinenye Ikedimma instantly and injuring many others.
The victim was said to be an aide to the popular Ukpo, Dunukofia council Prince Arthur Eze, an international oil magnate who just celebrated his birthday in the area.
The attack, said to have occurred on Saturday at about 11pm left some other villagers who have chosen personally to go underground for security and publicity purposes, with extensive degree of injuries.
However, the Anambra state Police Commissioner, Mr Sam Okaula has confirmed the incident, noting “This is an isolated case. It is a case of murder somewhere in the village. One person was also injured. My Area Commander has visited him in the hospital. Maybe he had some issues with somebody or so. But the police are on it and must smoke out the culprits.”
He said that the incidence had no connection with the land tussle between Ukpo and Abagana communities.
According to an eye witness, Ikedimma’s remains had been deposited at Bekee Hospital’s mortuary in Nimo,Njikoka local government of the State, while sympathizers have continued to flock their Abagana family home consoling the relations he left behind.
A female member of the family told reporters amidst tears feared that more victims might be killed subsequently, noting that her brother unknowingly walked into the gunmen who may perhaps had been laying siege on the villagers for some time. Hear her, “…he had no incline of any impending danger. He just finished his diner and took a walk to the neighbourhood”, she said.
Others villagers both from Ukpo and Abagana who refused to speak on tape for fear of their lives believed the killing might not be unconnected with the communal land crisis between Abagana and Ukpo communities which had renewed hostilities recently and has claimed many lives and property.
One of them said “Abagana people believe that our people working with Arthur Eze who hails from Ukpo and other prominent persons in that community might be giving them information on the plans Abagana people have on their ongoing tussle with Ukpo over a piece of land. So the option, as being speculated, was to ‘address’ their matter one by one”.
One of the victims who spoke from his hospital bed at Okpala Hospital, Enugwu-Ukwu, Mr Kenneth Obi Ajaegbo who sustained injury at his left knee said he was returning home late evening on Saturday from a social outing when he was attacked. He claimed he had no personal issues with anyone that could warrant such gun attack.
He said, “I ran home immediately they shot at me. It was when I got home that I discovered that I was shot at the knee. Blood was everywhere. My brother and I went to the Police Station immediately to give report before coming to this hospital. It was at the police station that we learnt that the aide to Prince Arthur Eze was shot dead..
