Gunmen Kill APGA Youth Leader in Anambra, Secondary School Student in Jos

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awkaand   Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Gunmen suspected to be terrorising Anambra State have killed a youth leader of the ruling party in the state, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Also, a student of Government Science School, Kuru in Jos South Local Government Area was on Friday night killed by gunmen, while three others were injured when assailants stormed the community.

In the Anambra incident, sources said the youth leader, Hon Emeka Alaehobi was kidnapped from his home in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state two days ago, but no call for ransom was known to have been made, until his remains were found yesterday morning in a neighbouring town, Utuh.

A source who spoke to THISDAY, said: “He is Hon Emeka  Alaehobi, Nnewi South APGA Local Government youth leader. He was kidnapped two days ago by unknown gunmen

“This morning his remains were found dumped at Utuh Junction.”

Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, Toochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that a corpse was discovered in the area yesterday, but was unable to ascertain the identity of the corpse.

He said: “When our operatives got to the scene, the corpse had been removed by some persons, we are yet to identify, and we have also ascertained that the corpse is that of the youth leader.”

Ukpor, the headquarters of Nnewi South Local Government Area has remained one of the most troubled parts of the state, since violent crime erupted in Anambra.

The council headquarters has severally been attacked, same for the police division in the area. Sources said eligible youths of the community have all fled for fear of being conscripted forcefully into criminal gangs.

Meanwhile, the state government led by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo recently recorded tremendous success in its fight against criminal elements in the state.

At the weekend, joint security operatives stormed a house in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, which was a hideout for criminals, and also a place were kidnap victims are kept in wait for ransom. The house was demolished, and some suspects arrested, just as three kidnap victims, including a priest were rescued.

 In a related development, astudent of Government Science School, Kuru, in Jos South Local Government Area was late Friday night killed by gunmen, while three others were injured when assailants stormed Kuru community and shot randomly at the people.

The victims were boarder students of the school who had allegedly gone to charge their phones at a filling station close to the school when the gunmen opened fire on them, killing one on the spot and leaving three others with bullet wounds.

A youth leader in the community Mr. Bulus Pam, who confirmed the attack yesterday, said the incident occurred at about 8p.m. on Friday.

He said: “A few of the students of Science School, Kuru who went there to charge their phones were affected. One of them that was shot on the neck by the gunmen died immediately while three others who also sustained injuries were rushed to the hospital.

“The attack on the community would have been more devastating if not that luckily, the gunshots fired by the terrorists attracted attention of some security escorts that were on transit who also responded and chased the terrorists away.”

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Alabo Alfred also confirmed the attack in a statement yesterday.

He said: “The attention of the Plateau State Police Command has been drawn to news making the rounds in some sections of the media space alleging erroneously that Science School Kuru, Jos was under attack by some groups believed to be terrorists.

“The command wishes to set the records straight that on 10/06/2022 at about 2000hrs, information was received at our end that some unknown hoodlums were firing along Mararaban Jama’a, along Riyom road (not Science School Kuru Jos as it is reported by cross section of the media).

“Upon receipt of the report, a high powered team of policemen and other security agencies responded swiftly and mobilised to the scene of the incident but on reaching the scene, the gunmen had fled leaving behind one person dead and three others injured.”

The PPRO said the injured persons were conveyed immediately to the hospital for treatment while the police are still on the trail of the fleeing suspects.

The statement added, “The Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, CP Bartholomew Onyeka, has advised members of the public to go about their lawful business as normalcy has already been restored in the area.”

He also assured the people that his men are on ground to contain any further disruption of peace.

He cautioned members of the press to always cross check their facts before reporting such issues of high security importance to members of the public in order not to mislead them.