From Okey Sampson, Aba
Soldiers attached to the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa in Ukwa West Local Government of Abia State , over the weekend shot and killed two bandits within.
It was gathered that on Friday morning, at Umuanka village in Ugwunagbo Local Government near Aba, a six-man gang of kidnappers abducted one Obinna Ezeononigbo. The victim, from Ekwulumili in Nnewi, Anambra, and who was a dealer on tricycle spare parts on Jubilee Road, Aba, was said to be going to his shop that morning when he was kidnapped.
A source informed Daily Sun that the businessman was killed by his abducted when he recognised one of them. The source stated that immediately the businessman’s body was found, soldiers were contacted. The soldiers were said to have trailed the hoodlums to their hideout.
In another breathe, soldiers on Sunday morning killed an armed robbey suspect at Akpaa Mbato also near Aba.
The bandit was said to be among a three-man gang who waylaid traders along the Aba/Azumini/Opobo Road and robbed them at gun point. The traders were said to be going to Oron in Cross River State to buy crayfish when the incident occurred.
It was gathered that during the robbery, soldiers were contacted, but before they arrived the hoodlum had fled. The soldiers were reported to have followed their footprints inside the bush where the hoodlums settled to share their loot. On sighting the soldiers, the armed robbers reportedly opened fire and in the gun duel that ensued, one of the armed robbers whose name was simply given as Chisom a.k.a IPO was shot dead while others escaped with bullet wounds.
Army sources said IPO has been on the wanted list following reports linking him and his gang with various criminal activities, including armed robbery and kidnapping in the area.