Gunmen reportedly attacked and killed a female vigilante, Mrs Onwe Blessing Onana on Tuesday while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The attack, which has been described as bloody and cruel, was allegedly carried out against the Office of Ngboejeogu Central Security at Ngbo Court in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The Chairman of Ohaukwu LGA, Mr. Odono Onwe, who confirmed the incident explained that the attack claimed the life of a security personnel, and left one injured while some properties and a motorcycle were carted away by the hoodlums.
Hon Odono noted that Severally, security men in the Council area have been battered, humiliated, abused and murdered gruesomely by some unidentified gunmen.
He added that the attacks have continued to demoralise the frantic efforts of the vigilantes in safeguarding the Localities.
“Sorrowfully, we mourn and console the families of the departed security personnel who lost her life in active duty, the one that is injured, operatives of Ngboejeogu Central Security, Ngboejeogu Clan, and the entire Ohaukwu.”
He noted that efforts have been put in place by security operatives to ensure that the culprits of the heinous crime were apprehended and brought to justice.
“Our resolved to achieve peace in Ohaukwu Local Government can never be undermined by anybody, we urge our people to be vigilant in their environment and report any illegal movement to the nearest police station.“Ohaukwu is the land of God and such calamity shall never befall us again.”
Meanwhile, the Amalgamated Ngboejeogu Youth group has condemned the armed attack, describing it as barbaric and unfortunate.
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A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr George Umeh and made available to Journalists said that the killing was coming about three weeks to the first anniversary of the murder of one Elom Chinonso (aka Oscar).
The group noted that the current situation in Ngbo, where there is a total lack of vigilante or security checkpoints in the entire 10 autonomous communities of Ngbo was condemnable and unfortunate.
“The Amalgamated Ngboejeogu Youth will work closely with government authorities, the Ngbo Leaders Council and all concerned persons to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are made to face the law.”
They called on the State Government and the hierarchy of the Nigeria police to hasten efforts on the resuscitation of the Police Area Command in Ngbo and the establishment of effective Community Policing in the entire Ngbo land.
At the time of filing the report, all efforts made to reach the Ebonyi State Police Command Public Relations officer, PPRO, proved abortive.