Unknown gunmen Thursday evening attacked the convoy of the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Benard Odoh.
The gunmen who were said to have laid an ambush against him at Rest House, Okpoto, Ishielu axis of Enugu/Abakaliki expressway opened fire on them, killed his driver, injured his police orderly, and two others.
A statement by the media director of the Odohzia campaign organisation, Charles Otu, accused the Ebubeagu outfit of being behind the attack.
The statement reads, “APGA Ebonyi state chapter governorship candidate Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh and his team were ambushed late this evening by suspected Ebubeagu operatives near Rest House, Okpoto, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“An unmarked silver-colored Sienna, loaded with suspected Ebubeagu militia with not less than 8 persons parked at the left flank of the road and opened fire with AK47 as soon as they sighted the leading pilot vehicle of the team.
“The pilot vehicle was shot at not less than 8 times before they cordoned off the Governorship candidate’s vehicle and riddled his Prado jeep with bullets.
“In the process, his driver was shot at and as he bled profusely, the ADC swiftly maneuvered and drove off the vehicle with all tires already punctured and flat down till he managed to get to Pele Filling station.
“As we write, not less than five persons were feared missing while two sustained serious gunshot injuries.”
When contacted on phone, the Ebonyi state Sector Commander of Ebubeagu Security Outfit, Nnanna Ujor, debunked the allegations.
He said the outfit never went on operation anywhere, talk more of attacking anyone.
“It is not Ebubeagu, Ebubeagu did not go for an attack anywhere,” he said.
He called back after about 30 to 40 minutes and said, “Investigations show that Prof. Odoh was attacked by unknown gunmen.”
Also, the Chairman of Ishielu LGA, Collins Onwe, in sketchy information noted that the area where the APGA flagbearer was attacked has been a flash spot for gunmen.
“Yes I was informed of the incident, unfortunately, that area has been a spot for unknown gunmen. We have had incidents of such there,” he said.
Police are yet to respond to the incident as at the time of filling this report.
