A former Commissioner in Enugu State, Chief Gabriel Onuzuluike, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen.
Onuzuluike, also a former Chairman of Oji-River local government area of the State, was shot dead alongside his brother in Nkpokolo-Achi area of the State on Friday.
The deceased persons were said to be returning from a burial ceremony when they were waylaid within Oji-River by the yet-to-be identified hoodlums.
It was gathered that the former Commissioner’s brother was shot dead on the spot while the Onuzuluike was whisked away and later killed and his vehicle taken away by the criminals.
However, it was learnt that two of the gunmen weere later shot dead while the vehicle of their victim and the guns belonging to the criminals were recovered.
The hoodlums were said to have ran into a Police checkpoint who opened fire on them following radio communication.
The spokesman of the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident, adding that a manhunt for some of the criminals that ran into the bush has commenced.
“Pending the receipt of a detailed report, kindly be informed that preliminary report reveals that two (2) of the assailants, said to have infiltrated into Oji-River from neighbouring Anambra State community, in the evening hours of 18/11/2022, that attacked and murdered one Gabriel Onuzulike (identified as former Chairman of Oji-River LGA and Commissioner in Enugu State Government) and his brother at Nkpokolo-Achi in Oji-River LGA, were neutralized by a Joint Police/Army Team, who swiftly responded to a distress call on the incident and intercepted the hoodlums at Inyi community of the same LGA, as they were escaping into Anambra State.
“The Team further recovered an AK-47 rifle with two magazines loaded with ammunition, while a Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep belonging to the deceased victims, a Toyota Camry car the assailants attempted to snatch from another victim and a RAV4 Jeep they used for the heinous criminal operation, amongst other incriminating items, were also recovered.
“Meanwhile, manhunt of the assailants, many of whom escaped into nearby forest with severe degrees of gunshot wounds in the ensuing gun duel, as a result of the superior firepower of the Joint Team, is still ongoing. Further development will be communicated, please,” the Police spokesman stated.
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