Gunmen Block Enugu/Abakaliki Road Despite Army and Police Checkpoints, Injuring Passengers

The attack took place at a location about four poles away from two military checkpoints near the Enugu boundary in Idodo, Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State

On Monday evening, a group of gunmen clad in military uniforms laid siege to the Enugu-Abakaliki federal road, causing disruption for approximately two hours. Several passengers were injured during the incident, which occurred between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM.

The attack took place at a location about four poles away from two military checkpoints near the Enugu boundary in Idodo, Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State. Astonishingly, this brazen assault unfolded on a straight road spanning approximately one kilometer, which is monitored by seven military and police checkpoints.

Passengers who spoke to SaharaReporters expressed shock at encountering the hoodlums. Some victims sustained gunshot wounds and machete cuts on their foreheads, shoulders, and hands. Additionally, numerous vehicle windshields were shattered by bullets during the attack.

Security personnel stationed on the Ebonyi State side of the boundary confirmed that such incidents have become alarmingly frequent. "For the past 30 to 45 minutes," they reported, "the gunmen have been shooting nonstop. This is not the first or even second occurrence in recent days. In each attack, individuals in military uniforms are consistently involved".

Despite efforts by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to deploy armed policemen and military personnel to secure the road, gunmen continue to target motorists without respite. Just three weeks ago, 14 passengers were kidnapped at a military checkpoint, including a senior Road Safety Official. Tragically, despite the family paying a N2 million ransom, the official was later shot.

The situation remains dire, and there are suspicions that some of the attacks at military checkpoints are carried out in collaboration with certain soldiers. Unfortunately, both the government and security chiefs in the South East have been reluctant to address these issues directly.

Efforts to reach Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. However, after approximately one hour and thirty minutes, the road was eventually cleared for motorists once the hoodlums departed.

Investigations and eyewitness accounts suggest that the gunmen in military uniforms are associated with Fulani herdsmen.

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