Gunmen Kills Two Soldiers, Civilian At Military Checkpoint In Ebonyi

Unknown gunmen have killed two soldiers and the civilian at a military checkpoint located at Timber Junction area in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi state.

It was learnt that those injured during the attach which happened on Monday night were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment while the deceased were deposited at the hospital.

A top security source disclosed that the incident took place at around 9pm, adding that the gunmen also carted away the riffles of the two dead soldiers, while other soldiers at the checkpoint fled into the bush for safety.

The Nation quoted a source saying the gunmen arrived the checkpoint in a white bus and as the military men stopped them for a search, they opened fire on them.

According to him, the situation threw the two busy towns of Amasiri and Afikpo into panic, as residents, especially petty traders hurriedly packed their goods and went home.

“It’s a very sad situation here. They said it was people suspected to be gunmen, who came to the checkpoint at Timber Shade (boundary Ehugbo and Amasiri) in white bus.

“As usual, it appeared the military were checking them and all of a sudden, they opened fire on them. Two of the military men, a man and woman, died. Others ran away.

“The area is as quiet as the graveyard. These bordering villages used to be very busy and people here are farmers and traders.

“But the moment that happened, people started going home. Nobody is seen outside as I speak to you. Every place is calm. There is fear here now. My brother, the world is about to end,” the source said.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has been set ablaze by unknown gunmen who invaded the complex on Tuesday morning.