From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Soldiers have gunned down armed robbery suspect on the ever-busy Afikpo/Abaomege/Akpoha highway in Ebonyi State and arrested about three others alive.
The robbery suspects were reported to be part of a gang that have been terrorizing motorists and commuters at the Abomeghe/Akpoha axis of the highway
However, luck ran out of them on Monday morning, after troops of the Nigeria military killed one and arrested some of them.
In a one minute, 46 seconds video circulating on social media, and cited by Daily Sun, video captured the scene when travellers and natives attempted to catch glimpse of the suspects while praising the gallantry of the troops as they prepared to take away the arrested suspects, while another was seen lying fatally wounded.
The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu when contacted to confirm the incident, said information on the development was still sketchy, as the headquarters awaits a detailed report from the DPO in the Abomeghe Police Division.
“I’ve not been able to get anything conclusive, the DPO for Abomeghe confirmed getting information on that, but doesn’t have details, so I don’t have any details to give”, he stated.
The Chairman -elect of Onicha Local Government Area, Ogboffia Ikechukwu said he received a call that armed robbers were operating on the highway and immediately contacted the military who stormed the scene.
He noted that the days of insecurity and crimînality were over in the area.
One of road users, Onyebuchi Chima said Abaomege/Akpoha axis of the expressway has become a dead trap which is helping robbers in their operation.
He noted that he had to hurriedly stopped his activity in Abakaliki the state capital to bear evening time the robbers usually operate on the road.
“These guys stopped me from finishing my beer in Abakaliki yesterday. I rushed down to Ehugbo to beat their evening service. However, from Abaomege to Timber shade Afikpo is a de-ad trap. The road is impassable”, he told Daily Sun.