By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
One person has been shot dead while about three others sustained injuries in an attack that took place in Okposi and Uburu communities respectively, in Ebonyi State.
According to an eyewitness who wouldn’t want his name in print, the hoodlums first launched the attack at court area, Okposi before moving to Uburu Community where they equally carried out another attack,but one of the hoodlums was later gunned down during an exchange of gunfire with the police while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Also in a related development, a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike and three other persons whose names could not be immediately ascertained, have been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Ebonyi State.
It was gathered that the three persons were kidnapped alongside the cleric to an unknown destination.
Azubuike was kidnapped on Monday in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State close to his house in the area while returning from his pastoral duties in the area.
The Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki in the state announced Azubuike’s kidnap in a statement signed by its Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Uzoma Opoke titled “Call For Prayers”.
The statement reads in part, “Fr. Joseph is the Parish Priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbalaeze Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“He was abducted alongside three other people. The abductors are making financial demands but with your prayers, we are going to have them back unconditionally.
“May Mother Mary of priests, intercede for us. Amen. St. Joseph-Pray for us.”
When contacted for her reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya who confirmed the incident, said one of the hoodlums was killed, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack.
`Yes, we are doing a press release, we are still on it because some people were brought in today with gun wounds while one has already died. The went to comb the area where this thing happened and so this is morning,the brought some persons with bullet injuries and one of them died in the process. So, we want to do a press release.”
While on the kidnapping of Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike and three others at Mgbalaeze Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Onome said she is yet to get information about the kidnapping.
