The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed an attack on a military checkpoint along the Amangwu axis of the Amasiri-Owutu Road in Edda Local Government Area.
The incident occurred early Friday morning when gunmen opened fire at the checkpoint.
According to DSP Joshua Ukandu, the Police Public Relations Officer, the command has not yet received a full report on casualties. Ukandu noted that the attack was carried out by unidentified gunmen reportedly riding a motorcycle.
A community source, speaking anonymously, informed LEADERSHIP Weekend that the attack resulted in the death of a soldier and one of the gunmen. “This morning, the Amangwu Military Checkpoint was attacked, leading to two fatalities: a soldier and one of the attackers,” the source said.
The attack has caused significant panic among locals, leading to prolonged delays for motorists and commuters until the situation was brought under control.
In response, local elders condemned the attack, labeling the perpetrators as threats to both the state and the community. They attributed the violence to those dissatisfied with the peace the area has enjoyed over the past two years.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, community elder Chief Orji Ama said, “We woke up this morning to hear about the attack at one of the military checkpoints in our local government. It was an unfortunate incident. It left many of us in shock as we have not witnessed any attack in our local government in the last two years.
“Just recently, part of our community known for hostility celebrated seven months of peace and unity. Only for some hoodlums to attack the military checkpoint. The presence of the military in our local government has brought about peace in the community and we are happy.”
He called on security agencies to pursue the perpetrators of this act with a view to arresting and prosecuting them.
Ama reiterated that Edda is a peaceful community, saying anyone who uses the guise of unknown gunmen to cause havoc in the community must be identified and prosecuted.
Another community leader, Chief James Chima, also condemned the attack and vowed that the community would fully support security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the residents.
Chima added that the attack on the military checkpoint was a direct attempt to sabotage the peace and security in the local government, emphasizing that the community would resist such efforts.
“The attack can best be described as sabotage. It is a sabotage to the peace and security the local government has witnessed over the past two years. Enemies of the local government want to bring about insecurity again in the community, but we will do everything to resist it.
“The military presence has also helped immensely to ensure peace and security in the local government. That security and peace will never be truncated by those parading as unknown gunmen. The security agencies must go all out to apprehend the hoodlums and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.”