Gunmen on rampage in Enugu State; kidnap Catholic priest in Nsukka, kill ex-commissioner

Gunmen on rampage in Enugu State; kidnap Catholic priest in Nsukka, kill ex-commissioner

Ben Ezechime, Enugu

Rev. Fr Victor Isiwu, Catholic Priest of St. Jude Catholic Church, Eburummiri, Ibagwa-Aka, Igboeze South Local Government Area  has allegedly been abducted by unknown persons.

A source from the parish disclosed that the   in the early  hours of Saturday at the church premises when the priest was conducting adoration.

According to the source, who craved anonymity, the kidnappers entered the adoration ground after midnight and started shooting sporadically. 

“As worshippers scampered for safety, they took away the priest.

“His whereabout is yet to be ascertained and contact from the abductors, ” he said.

In a related development, a former Commissioner for Rural Development in the State, Mr Gab Onuzuluike and his elder brother, Elvis were murdered by gunmen at Mkpoloku in Oji River Local Government Area.

The late Onuzuluike, who was also a former Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area and his brother were said to be returning home after attending a burial.

Eye witnesses said that some security men chased the assailants and shut one down in the process.

Meanwhile, the Police Command in Enugu State have confirmed the Oji River Incident.

In a release signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the commandDaniel Ndukwe, DSP, said two of the assailants weteneutralised by a joint security team comprising the police and army

The statement reads: “Two (2) of the assailants said to have infiltrated into Oji River from neighboring Anambra State community in the evening hours of 28/11/22.

“The attackers murdered one Mr  Gabriel Onuzuluike (identified as former local government chairman of Oji River) and commissioner in Enugu State and his brother at Mkpokolo Achi in Oji River Local government Area, were neutrslised by joint Police/Army team.

“The team swiftly responded to distress call on the incident and intercepted the hoodlums at Inyi Inyi community of the same LGA as they were escaping into Anambra State, ” he said.

According to the PRO: “the team recovered an AK 47 rifle with two magazines loaded with ammunition, while a Toota Landcruiser Jeep belonging to the deseased victims and a Toyota Camry car the assailants attempted to snatch from another victim and RAV 4 jeep they used for the heinous criminal operations amongst other incriminating items were also recovered.”

He said that, manhunt of the assailants many of whom escaped into nearby forest with severe degrees of gunshots wounds, “in the ensuring gun duel as a result of the supperior fire power of the team is still ongoing.” 

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