2 killed, many abducted as gunmen attack Enugu commuters

By Iheanyi Chukwudi

Two persons including a community leader were reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Friday on Ugwogo-Neke-Ikem road between Enugu East and Isi-Uzo local government areas of Enugu State.

The kidnappers who laid siege on the said road allegedly abducted unconfirmed number of people and took them to the bush, with their whereabouts yet unknown.

An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said the incident happened Friday evening, between 7:30 and 8pm, saying that the kidnappers swooped in on commuters, shot sporadically at oncoming vehicles and killed at least two persons in the process.

The eyewitness said: “Chief Cyril Mbah from Neke Odenigbo-Nike was gunned down by suspected kidnappers along Ugwogo/Isi-uzo road, near Neke Odenigbo junction.

“He was rushing home with his daughter in his car when he ran into a group of suspected kidnappers who suddenly opened fire on him. Unfortunately he couldn’t survive the gunshots but nothing happened to his daughter.

“The kidnappers went further, fired and flattened the tires of another vehicle approaching the scene and successfully whisked away the driver and other occupants of the vehicle. Till now no one is certain where they are.”

When contacted, the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe (DSP), promised to verify the story.

Kidnapping along this same road, it will be recalled caused commotion in 2000 when a lawyer, a businessman, a Reverend Sister and others from Isi-Uzo LGA were kidnapped after attending the burial of a former House of Assembly member, Late Hon. Chijioke Ugwueze who died during the Covid-19 pandemic.