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Suspected IPOB members’ attack at the Ezzamgbo junction drew strong condemnation from Prince Ikechukwu Odono, Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, on Monday.
The Eastern Updates has brought to light an incident in which roughly eight masked gunmen besieged a junction, engaging in random gunfire to instil fear among merchants, and then went on to set ablaze properties with a collective value in the millions of naira.
The unidentified assailants also set fire to a tricycle, seven motorcycles, a shop belonging to a commercial phone operator, and various valuable assets at the Eke market and Ezzamgbo junction.
An eyewitness, who spoke to journalists, said the unknown gunmen who invaded the place in a blue Toyota Sienna car, carried charms in a local pot, shouting, ‘Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released by the Nigerian government’ during the operation.
Read also: Ebonyi: IPOB Militants Torch Vehicles, Attack Traders
The council chairman, Prince Odono who confirmed the incident, said, ‘Early this morning, armed hoodlums entered Ezzamgbo junction and started shooting at the flyover. They set ablaze two buses and about three motorcycles.
‘I quickly called security agents but before they could reach the scene of the incident, the armed men had left for Nkwo Donkey Market where they shot sporadically on the air; and set ablaze one tricycle and another three motorcycles.’
‘Before the security operatives could reach there, the hoodlums had fled.’
‘Now, security agents are everywhere, in Ohaukwu, carrying out a serious investigation to fish out the perpetrators of the evil acts.’
‘I also, assure Ohaukwu people to go about their legitimate businesses because the security operatives including the Army, Police and DSS are currently in Ezzamgbo to ensure people’s lives and property are well secured.’
SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the Police Spokesperson in Ebonyi State, has also corroborated the incident, affirming that the armed individuals arrived in a Sienna car and targeted commuter buses, tricycles, and motorcycles at Ezzamgbo junction.
According to her, the vandals burned down three commuter buses, four motorcycles, and one tricycle, but there were no reported fatalities.
‘Operatives of the Command have been dispatched to the scene and its environs to fish out the perpetrators. And we believe that before the end of the day, the perpetrators will be apprehended,’ Onovwakpoyeya added.
