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Ebonyi State is enveloped in fear of reprisal following the shooting of two soldiers and a civilian by gunmen at a checkpoint in the state.

Gunmen had on Monday night, shot the two soldiers and civilian to death at a checkpoint on the Timber Junction area, in the Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.

Others reportedly sustained varying degree of gunshot wounds and were subsequently rushed to undisclosed hospital for treatment while the deceased were deposited in a morgue.

It was gathered that the victims were attacked about 8.48pm of the penultimate day as their riffles and cache of ammunition were carted away. Other soldiers at the checkpoint ran escaped to the bush for safety.

A community source who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen arrived the checkpoint in a white bus and as the military men stopped them for a search, they opened fire on them.

According to him, the situation threw the two busy towns of Amasiri and Afikpo into panic, as natives especially petty traders hurriedly packed their wares and scampered to their homes.

“It’s a very sad situation here. They said it was people suspected to be gunmen, who came to the checkpoint at Timber Shade (boundary Ehugbo and Amasiri) in white bus.

“As usual, it appeared the military were checking them and all of a sudden, they opened fire on them. Two of the military men, a man and woman, died. Others ran away.

“The area is as quiet as the graveyard. These bordering villages used to be very busy and people here are farmers and traders. But the moment that happened, people started going home. Nobody is seen outside as I speak to you. Every place is calm. There is fear here now. My brother, the world is about to end,” the source said.

A reliable security source confirmed the incident at the time of filing this report.

The DPO of Afikpo North LGA is said to be aware of the incident but has not yet notified the Public Relations Department of the Ebonyi State Police Command.

This is coming barely 10 days after three policemen were shot dead by gunmen in the state.

(VANGUARD)


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