A group of unidentified gunmen have reportedly opened fire on a Toyota Sienna, killing five soldiers, and a civilian, on the spot.
Report has it that the victims were driving through Umunze – Umunneochi road, in Orumba South local government area, when a group of armed men opened fire on their vehicle, killing all the occupant on the spot.
This incident which took place on Wednesday, September 28th, plunged the entire community into a state of grave pandemonium as people fled in different directions for fear of their dear lives.
The Public Relations Officer, of the state police command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident but could not provide an exact number of casualties, he said;
“There was shooting near Zenith Bank in Umunze, but no details have been received,” said the PPRO.
He stated that the command had sent security personnel to the location to secure it and those guilty of the shooting would be brought to book.
An eyewitness, who pleaded for anonymity, said;
“It was terrible. The shooting was so much that the banks and shops closed immediately, while motorists turned back and drove in opposite directions. It was as if the gunmen laid ambush for the soldiers who were driving along the Umunze -Umunneochi road, he said.
“Nobody saw any sign of the presence of the gunmen before the shooting started. Some of us who were close to the bank ran for our dear lives. The gunmen must have taken the soldiers unawares, which must be why they were able to kill them.”
