Panic Grips Eke Community as Vigilante Member and Woman Allegedly Killed by Nigerian Soldiers.
Residents of Eke community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State are living in fear and panic following the alleged killing of a volunteer member of the community’s neighbourhood vigilante and a woman by soldiers from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu.
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According to reports, the vigilante operatives, identified as Ebuka Oke, Emeka Anigbo, Chinedu Okolo, and Obinna Ofor, were on their way to confront armed robbers who had blocked a major road leading to a popular Catholic Church Prayer Centre and Eke. As they approached the scene, the soldiers ordered them to stop and immediately began shooting.
Tragically, Ebuka Oke was fatally shot at close range, while Chinedu Okolo suffered severe injuries to his genitals and legs. Obinna Ofor sustained gunshot wounds to various parts of his body and is currently in the intensive care unit of a hospital. The incident has caused widespread panic and unrest within the community and its surrounding areas.
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Contrasting Accounts Emerge Regarding the Incident
One of the surviving vigilante operatives, Emeka Anigbo, recounted the events from his hospital bed. He explained that they had received a distressed call about the armed robbers’ activities and quickly abandoned their activities to respond. Despite being in full security uniforms and identifying themselves as neighbourhood vigilante watch guards, the soldiers opened fire on them without provocation, leading to the death of Ebuka Oke and the woman.
However, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, dismissed the vigilante operatives’ account, labeling them as armed hoodlums. According to Unuakhalu, the soldiers received a distress call regarding criminal activities along the Eke Road and immediately rushed to the scene. He alleged that the hoodlums engaged the soldiers in a shootout, but the soldiers overpowered them, resulting in the arrest of one individual and the recovery of weapons. Unuakhalu further claimed that the deceased woman was killed by a stray bullet during the exchange of fire.
Investigation Promised as Conflicting Narratives Continue.
While the community remains gripped by fear and uncertainty, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu assured that the 82 Division will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the truth. He emphasized that the soldiers were responding to a distress call and vehemently denied the allegations that they were responsible for the deaths.
The conflicting accounts of the incident have deepened tensions within the community and raised concerns about the conduct of security forces. The outcome of the investigation will be eagerly awaited by the residents, who hope for clarity and justice in the wake of this tragic event.
