… Allow Police To Fish Out Perpetrators, Says Ebonyi State Government
The All Progressives Congress Grand Alliance, APGA, has accused the Ebubeagu Security Operatives of firing bullets on the convoy of its governorship candidate, Professor Benard Odoh, aimed at killing him.
The allegation was made by Mr. Charles Otu, Director Media and Publicity,
Odohzia Ebonyi Campaign council on Thursday.
Umahi, Odoh
In a statement made available to IGBERE TV, Mr Otu said Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh and his team were ambushed late Thursday evening by suspected Ebubeagu operatives near Rest House, Okpoto, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to him, “an unmarked silver-coloured Sienna, loaded with suspected Ebubeagu militia with not less than 8 persons parked at the left flank of the road and opened fire with AK47 as soon as they sighted the leading pilot vehicle of the team.”
“The pilot vehicle was shot at not less than 8 times before they cordoned off the Governorship candidate’s vehicle and riddled his Prado jeep with bullets.”
“In the process, his driver was shot at and as he bled profusely, the ADC swiftly manouvered and drove off the vehicle with all tyres already punctured and flat down till he managed to get to Pele Filling station.”
“As we write, not less than five persons were feared missing while two sustained serious gunshots injuries.”
“Efforts are on by security team to rescue the missing persons while those already rescued have been rushed to the hospital for treatment.”
When contacted to speak on the allegation, the Special Assistant on Media and Strategy to Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State, Mr Chooks Oko said the police should be allowed to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
He, however, noted that the Ebubeagu operatives are licensed with pump action.
According to him, “the Ebubeagu we know carry licenced pump action guns.”
“I really wonder APGA’s fixation with Ebubeagu, always trying to paint the outfit in bad light.”
“If there was an attack, I sincerely sympathize with the victims and wish them speedy recovery.”
“But it is for the police to fish out the perpetrators not for us to conjecture where the attacks came from without evidence.”
As at the time of filing this report, efforts by our correspondent to get the reaction of Ebonyi State police command proved abortive.
