Gunmen Attack Ebonyi Community, Burn Buses, Others

Kill nine in fresh attack in  Plateau

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Gunmen suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) have attacked the popular Ezzamgbo Eke Junction in Ohaukwu Local Government area of Ebonyi state.

This is just as gunmen, again, attacked Adu village in Kwal district of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State killing at least nine persons, even as  several others were injured.

The armed men  in Ebonyi were said to have invaded the junction at the early hours of yesterday and started shooting sporadically.

The gunmen, who were said to be enforcing the sit-at-home order, also burnt three commuter buses, one tricycle and four motorcycles.

Confirming the incident, the Ebonyi State Police Spokesman, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, a Superintend of Police (SP)  said that no life was lost.

She added that operatives of the command have been dispatched to the scene and it environs to fish out the perpetrators.

“Today, 02/10/2023, armed men suspected to be IPOB/ESN members in a sienna car attacked commuter buses, tricycle and motorcycles at Ezzangbo junction”.

“They  burnt down  three  commuter buses, four  motorcycles and  one  tricycle. No life was lost. 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,” the PPRO said.

Meanwhile, the Council Chairman, Prince Ikechukwu Odono said that normalcy has returned to the area.

He called on the people to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of attacks.

Meanwhile, gunmen have again attacked Adu village in Kwal district of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State killing at least nine persons, even as  several others were injured.

The spokesman for the Miango Youths Development Association, Mr. Nuhu Bitrus, who said  the incident  happened late Sunday night.

He said: “Nine persons were killed yesterday (Sunday) in an attack in Adu village. It happened around 9pm.”

Bitrus said the villagers were planning to celebrate Nigeria 63rd independence anniversary yesterday  morning when the tragedy befell them the previous night forcing them to cancel the celebration.

He said: “It’s unfortunate that we are today mourning the death of nine of our persons in Adu village who were killed last night in an attack.

“It is really disheartening that while others are celebrating Nigeria’s 63rd  independence, we are gathering to bury our people. As a community, we had planned to celebrate Nigeria’s 63rd independence celebration today (yesterday)  with a lot of activities but we are not doing that anymore. We have turned the event into a prayer day for the safety of our communities.”

Calling on government to find solution to the persistent attacks on the people, Bitrus observed that the situation has continued to degenerate over time without any serious intervention by government.

Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Police Command, Mr. Alabo Alfred could not be reached for a reaction.