The Aba Area Command of the Nigerian Police, have foiled an attempt by gunmen to seize a businessman at Azikiwe road, Aba, Abia State.
247ureports.com gathered that the incident which occurred at about 5pm near the Azikiwe/ Asa road junction, caused tension in the area as the gunmen fired sporadic shots. Shop owners and motorists scampered to safety for fear of being hit by stray bullets.
The targeted victim, identified as a dealer on industrial sewing machines along Azikiwe road, whose name could not be ascertained as at press time, was said to have fled as soon as he sighted the gunmen, even as the shooting lasted over 30 minutes.
Piqued by the escape of the targeted victim, the gunmen robbed a female passenger of her belongings including phones and other valuables she left in the vehicle while she fled to safety. They later snatched a Sports Utility vehicle and its driver who ran into them while the operation lasted.
A Police source told journalists that the Aba Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara, who was alerted by the sporadic shooting ordered his men to block suspected exit routes in the city, but the gunmen made a detour to the Ngwa road and escaped.
The Police Source said the gunmen fled the area before a combined team of security agents could arrive the scene. “The hoodlums escaped through Ngwa road by East Street through the popular Good Morning market. We followed, but couldn’t engage them in a shootout due to the number of people at the market.”
Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ezekiel Udeviotu Onyeke who confirmed the incident, said the Police have launched efforts to track down the fleeing gunmen.
