There was panic in the Iboko community in the Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Tuesday when gunmen raided the area, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least two security guards.
A witness, preferring anonymity, disclosed that the assailants, posing as locals, strategically halted at various points in the community to purchase food items before initiating violence.
A judiciary employee at the Ebonyi State High Court confided to our correspondent that she narrowly escaped being attacked by the criminals.
The source said, “According to the report, the gunmen first stopped at a popular filling station at Iboko and filled their vehicles with PMS before gunning down two persons there.
“They moved to where Ebubeagu operatives (now called Neighbourhood Vigilante members) were and opened fire on them, killing one Fredrick Idike and another person.
“They equally used an axe to slice two of the vigilante members, who have been deposited at the mortuary.
“Yesterday was Iboko Market and the ugly incident made the traders start running for safety.
“The whole market was deserted yesterday because of the incident.”
The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the incident.
“Yes. It happened. Two lives were lost. But we are still investigating,” the Ebonyi Police Public Relations Officer, Ukandu Joshua, said.