By Favour Goodness
No fewer than four persons were feared killed when members of the South-Eastern Security Outfit, Ebubeagu, invaded Amasiri community, in the Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Loading ...Other yet¬-to-be-identified victims, who sustained injuries during the invasion and were rushed to hospital for treatment, were reportedly arrested and taken away.
It was gathered that the security operatives stormed the community in five Toyota Sienna vehicles and shot at the youth on the allegation that they sealed off a Lebanese quarry company, Conrock.
According to a source, the youth had assembled at the square to share money given to them by the management of the company for unsealing its property when the operatives arrived.
The source said, “We were expected to appear before the area command and the police division on Monday (today) and Tuesday before Ebubeagu came and started shooting at us for arguing with them. We told them we had reached an agreement with the company and that we had unsealed the company.
“Their management even gave us something in appreciation for our peaceful conduct. So, we are at a loss as to why Ebubeagu came and shot some of us. One of the victims died on the way to a hospital, while two others died while receiving treatment.”
Another source explained that the youth, prior to sealing the company, had accused the management of foot-dragging on the rehabilitation of a four-kilometre road in Amaebor and the naming of the Community Liaison Officer.
The source said, “Some of those injured were taken by security men from the hospital to Abakaliki. Yesterday (Sunday), they came and were chasing and firing sporadically when a stray bullet hit another youth, who died immediately.
“We know that the Ebubeagu operatives were invited by politicians because they want the CLO to be appointed from another village in Ohaechara instead of Amaebor that the post is zoned to.”
