Gunmen Invade Anambra Community, Abduct Popular Bar Owner.

Unidentified gunmen caused panic in Mgbakwu, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as they stormed the town and abducted one Federick Oramuru, a popular bar owner, for unknown reasons.

The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon, between 3pm and 4pm, right in front of the well-known Nkwo Market in town.

According to information obtained by the Diaspora Digital Media, about ten heavily armed masked men arrived at the scene in three black and white Hilux vans.

The gunmen fired shots into the air, causing panic among passers-by, traders, and young men playing football in a nearby field.

They stopped at Oramuru’s Bar, informed him that he was under arrest.

When he questioned and resisted, they shot him and forcefully pulled him into the car, though the bullet failed to penetrate.

During investigation, DDM interviewed several eyewitnesses who recounted the experiences.

Gunmen hit Oramuru on the head – sister

A sister of the victim (name withheld) mentioned that she was on her way back to Mgbakwu when she reached Nkwo market and learned that her brother had been abducted by the gun-wielding men.

The victim’s sister (name withheld)

“Yes, he is my brother. I just came back this evening.

“I was on my way returning to Mgbakwu and saw people gathered at Nkwo Market and I stopped.

“I asked, “what is the problem?” and then they told me that it was my brother they came and carried.

“I now asked them “how come?” Did you people know the people that came and pick him.

“They said they said it is police people. I say did they show you any ID card that they are from the station. They said no.

“They didn’t even allow anybody to come closer and people said he was trying to open his motor to fix his motor.

“One man now came and told him Oga come out. As he came out, they told him he is under arrest.

“He asked, “for what?” and they now hit him with a gun on his head.

“He now started shouting to his wife and just then his wife wanted to come out.

“They now started shooting and harassing gun and the whole market started running helter-skelter.

“They started beating him. “He said they must tell him what he did before taking him.

“But they covered their face. We didn’t know them. If they were policemen, they will wear their uniform.

“The other women that was cooking ran out and came when he was yelling.

“They rushed the woman and started beating her mercilessly.

“They now hijacked him and put him inside the motor and drove off. I didn’t even know where to look for my brother.

“Assuming I came earlier I would have asked to verify the station.”, the sister said.

A friend narrates the gunmen attack

Ifeanyi Ohaemezie, a friend of Oramuru who witnessed the incident, recounted that he was walking nearby when he heard gunshots.

Before he realized what was happening, his friend had been forced into a car.

When he approached to ask why they were taking his friend, they refused to answer and drove away.

“I was coming down when i heard gunshots.

“Before I knew it, my guy, Fred had been taken into the car.

“I rushed and asked them what my friend had done because even if he had stolen, they should tell us.

“Before I knew it, they drove off. So, we don’t know what is happening again in our land.

“Every time, they use police to threaten us. They should be careful.

“We are in a democracy. They should know that when next they are coming to this town.

“They should know that we will be waiting for them”.

Bean and Plantain vendor

Also, a young woman selling edible beans and plantain next to the victim’s shop mentioned that she was unaware of the events.

She explained that she was about to serve a customer when a phone was thrown at her.

As she deflected, the men rushed at her and began to beat her.

“I don’t know what is happening.

“I was at my shop serving a customer when I heard people shouting queen, queen.

“As I turned to ask the customer what I would serve, they threw a phone at me.

“When I deflected, they rushed and started beating me”.

Additionally, Lady Egbo Ngozika, another resident, described how those present reacted to the gunmen’s arrival.

According to her, the gunmen did not reveal their identity but fired shots into the air.

She also presented a bullet left behind by the gunmen to DDM.

Lady Egbo Ngozika, an eyewitness, lifting a bullet shell shot by the gunmen

“I was coming back from the church when I was phoned and told that there were gunshots at Nkwo.

“Unfortunately, during the gunshot, the gunmen carried one man called Federick Oramuru, a native of Amaezike village in Mgbakwu.

One of the bullets left off by the gunmen, obtained by Diaspora Digital Media

“They said nobody knows the identity of the armed men, whether police or SARS.

“The gunmen were asked to reveal their identity, but they refused. Women started running because of the gun they were shooting.

‘This is the king of situation in which people could be killed. The gunmen were supposed to have shown their Identity cards.

“But they had no ID cards that showed they were policemen. Look at the bullet they left. They left many bullets here.

“All the women ran away, including those who sustained injuries. We do not know who they are”, the woman narrated.

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