JUST IN: Commuters Scamper For Safety as Heavy Shooting Rocks Enugu-Abakaliki Highway
- There is currently tension in the ever-busy Enugu-Abakaliki expressway
- Commuters on the route say they are currently stranded over the heavy shooting
- The Ebonyi police command has also confirmed the shooting, adding that its operatives are on their way to the location
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A report by The Nation indicates that the movement of vehicles and passengers along the Enugu Abakaliki expressway has been halted following a heavy shooting at the Ezilo axis of the highway by unknown gunmen.
According to the report, it was not immediately clear those responsible for the shootings.
The Nation had earlier reported that two persons were killed in a renewed boundary dispute between Ezilo community and the neighbouring Iyionu community of Ishielu local government area of the state.
Source: UGC
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It could not be immediately established if the shooting is connected with the dispute.
A passenger from Afam Cyprian, who was travelling to Enugu, said travellers said:
“Many people are looking for another route to take. Some have gone back to take Afikpo road. I am looking for a way to go back to Abakaliki.”
Police spokesperson, Loveth Odah confirmed the shootings, adding that the Ebonyi police commissioner, Aliyu Garba has dispatched police patrol teams to restore peace and open up the road for users.
She however said the shooting cannot be related to the boundary dispute as the disputed area is not close to the highway.
Legit.ng had earlier reported that the southeast governors' forum launched its own joint security outfit for the region codenamed 'Ebube Agu.'
The decision was made after governors and stakeholders of the region held a security meeting in Imo state on Sunday, April 11.
Recall that Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, said the new security outfit would oversee and monitor the activities of vigilante groups within the geopolitical zone.
According to him, the governors came together to synergise and see how best they can protect the lives and properties of citizens in the southeast.
In a related development, the Hausa/Fulani community at the Abia Regional Cattle Market, Lokpanta, has demanded inclusion in Ebube Agu security outfit.
Leaders of the community, cattle dealers, and allied traders in the market made the demand while addressing journalists on Monday, April 19.
They further demanded the inclusion of Hausa/Fulani community in the Ebubeagu regional security outfit recently floated by southeast governors, adding that they would accept any security outfit established by the state governments.
Source: Legit.ng
