Police Deny Kidnap Of 22 Persons In Ebonyi

Ebonyi State Police Command has denied reports making rounds in the media which suggested that suspected herdsmen kidnapped 22 persons in the state.

The command in a statement noted that from the contacts so far established to the Divisional Police Officer DPO in charge of the area and other intelligence reports, there shows was no such incident within the jurisdiction of the State Command.

The unconfirmed report of the kidnap of the 22 persons suspected to be indigenes of Amasiri community in Ebonyi State along the Ishiagu axis of the Okigwe/Enugu express has since yesterday created panic and tension in the community.

The report on the social media read: “I bring to your notice the sad event of the kidnap of twenty-two in Amasiri, Afikpo South LGA, Ebonyi State persons by Gunmen, yesterday”.

“The incident took place around 9.00pm, about three kilometers (3KM) along Ishiagu Road off Okigwe/ Enugu Express Way. My junior sister Ijeoma, was one of the seven women in the contingents”.

Meanwhile, the Command confirmed the killing of one Henry Ezeani Chukwu, a 43-year-old indigene of Anambra State purported to be a bouncer to Dr Ifeanyichukwuma Odii, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the shooting that erupted in Isu, Onicha local government area.

A statement signed by the command’s police public relations officer, Mr Chris Anyanwu and made available to LEADERSHIP said that the incident occurred on the  24th of August 2022 at about 08: 50pm.

Anyanwu said that gunshot sound was heard around Nkwoagu Isu Market square in Onicha LGA, Ebonyi State adding that the division police officer in charge of the area immediately dispatched a team of operatives to the area.

He said that the officers traced the direction of the suspected gunshot sound to Home Galaxy Hotel Nkwoagu Isu where it was eventually discovered that unknown armed men invaded the hotel and opened gunfire on people.

The PPRO noted that among those found with suspected bullet injuries, littered about the premises include Augustine Ogbonnaya Nwadiba, the proprietor of the said hotel, an indigene of Mgbom Amanator Isu.

Others included Henry Ezeani Chukwu, 43yrs, an indigene of Anambra State purported to be a bouncer to Dr Ifeanyi Chuks Odii a PDP Guber Aspirant/Candidate and Alexander Ekwe Okorie, a 52-year-old native of Uhuoke Amanator Isu.

Anyanwu said that the officers recovered from the scene were eleven (11) shells of expended AK47 ammunition.

“The victims were quickly evacuated to Amagu Mgbom Health Center where they were confirmed dead and later deposited at the Morgue facility of the Health Center.

The Homicide Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department has embarked on a scrupulous investigation of the incident.