Gunmen have killed Ogbonnaya Ugwu, the councilor representing Echara Ward 2 in Okposi Community, Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi State.
According to sources in Okposi, the incident occurred around 10 pm on Saturday when Ugwu was returning from his shop, a popular drinking joint known as ANGLE 90.
Eyewitnesses said that the gunmen accosted Ugwu and shot him before setting him ablaze and leaving the scene. He reportedly fell into a gutter before being set ablaze. The news has led to protests by the Mgbo N’echara youths in Okposi.
The State Police Command has not confirmed the incident, and the spokesperson of the command, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.
The killing of the councilor has shocked the community, and residents are calling for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice. There have been reports of rising insecurity in Ebonyi State in recent months, with gunmen attacking and killing residents in various parts of the state.
The killing of Ugwu is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the state, and there are concerns that the situation may worsen if nothing is done to address the root causes of the violence. The government and security agencies have been urged to take urgent action to curb the rising wave of violence in the state.