Tension Hits Abia Community as Gunmen Kill Soldier in Shootout

Tension Hits Abia Community as Gunmen Kill Soldier in Shootout

  • A soldier of the Nigerian military has been killed in a shootout with some members of the IPOB and the ESN
  • The incident occured during a shootout with members of the proscribed group on Wednesday, August 17, in Ebem community Ohafia
  • According to residents, the soldier had gone into the community on an Okada to buy some provisions when he was attacked by the gunmen

Some gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network have killed a soldier of the Nigerian Military in Ebem, a community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia state.

Premium Times reports that the yet-to-be-identified soldier was killed in a shootout between military troops and the gunmen at about 5.02 pm on Wednesday, August 17.

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Troops, soliders, Nigerian military, Nigerian Army, Abia state, Ebem in Ohafia LGA
A soldier has been reportedly killed in a shootout with some suspected members of IPOB and ESN. Photo: HQ Nigerian Army
Source: Twitter

It was gathered that the slain soldier was serving at the 14 Brigade Headquarters of Goodluck Jonathan Barracks in the council area.

Residents said he had gone into the community on an Okada (motorcycle) to buy some provisions when he was attacked by the gunmen.

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Sources said the slain soldier had sent a signal to the Brigade command when he noticed that the gunmen were on his trail.

According to the source, the signal by the soldier prompted the military authorities to deploy troops from the brigade to rescue him.

In a video clip shared on social media, which has gone viral, sounds of gunshots could be heard in the background while some residents screamed in fear.

A resident, Chukwuma Eguma who spoke on the incident confirmed that a team of soldiers had arrived at the scene and engaged the gunmen in a shootout.

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Eguma said two of the gunmen shot at died instantly.

His words:

“The army people came and started shooting at the gunmen. Two of the gunmen died instantly. The gunmen also killed one soldier."

Also noting that the gunmen are suspected members of the IPOB and ESN, Egbuma could not confirm if the soldier was the one initially attacked by the criminals.

Meanwhile, the military is yet to respond or release a statement over the incident at the time of this report.

Tears, mourning as Nigerian Army bury presidential guards killed in terrorists' ambush in Abuja

The Nigerian Army had buried a Captain and two soldiers who were killed in a terrorist ambush in the Federal Capital Territory.

A Christian wake and a funeral service were held in honour of Captain Attah Samuel and four other soldiers who were killed by terrorists in Abuja.

The military personnel were laid to rest on Thursday, August 11, at the Guards Brigade Cemetery in Maitama Abuja.

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List: Details of Army officers killed in Presidential Guards Brigade attack by terrorists in Abuja emerge

On Sunday, July 24, some yet-to-be-identified terrorists attacked officers and soldiers of the Presidential Guard Brigade in Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The attack led to the killing of a captain and two soldiers during the ambush which took place close to the Nigerian Law School in Bwari.

According to reports, the incident took place as the team were returning from the institution where they went for an assessment of the security situation following threats of possible attack by the terrorists.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Nnenna Ibeh avatar

Nnenna Ibeh Nnenna Ibeh is a journalist with over 10 years of experience with various media organisations including Premium Times. Being on the front burner of reporting politics and the different dimensions of governance, she is also passionate about girls' education and women's and children's health. With degrees in Journalism, Peace Studies & Conflict Res., and Dev. Studies, Nnenna has worked in the dev. sector as a communications officer for the Centre for Democracy and Dev. email: ibehnnenna@gmail.com