By Elizabeth Godwin
The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a middle-aged man, David Anoke, by unidentified gunmen at the Court Area of Okposi community, Ohaozara Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, told Channels Television on Monday that the incident occurred over the weekend. He said investigations had commenced and officers had been deployed to the area, adding that normalcy had since returned.
“Yes, the command is investigating the killing of one person in Okposi. Meanwhile, officers have been deployed to the area and normalcy has since returned,” Ukandu stated.
Reacting, the Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government, Ajah Chinonso-Consider, condemned the killing and warned that extrajudicial violence in the area must stop.
“Ohaozara has always been a land of peace, unity, and co-existence, fostering economic growth and development across Uburu, Okposi, and Ugwulangwu. We cannot allow criminal elements to tarnish this reputation or destabilise our people,” he said.
Chinonso-Consider urged calm and cooperation from residents, assuring that security agencies at both state and federal levels were working to bring the perpetrators to justice.
As part of security measures, the local government has banned movement of motorcycles and tricycles in and out of Okposi between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily.
“The bike and keke curfew is a security intervention aimed at assisting security agencies in fishing out criminal elements and forestalling further occurrences,” the chairman explained, appealing to traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community groups to support peace efforts.
