Robbers on rampage •Kill 6 in Onitsha, 12 on danger list

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers yesterday afternoon killed seven persons while over 12 others sustained gunshot wounds at Akwu-Ukwu, Ekwusigo council area of Anambra state. Saturday Sun gathered that the dare-devil armed robbery gang in what looked like coordinated attacks on travellers along Onitsha-Owerri Expressway opened fire on a commercial bus coming from Owerri, killing four persons instantly while the driver lost control of the vehicle resulting in an accident in which many occupants are injured.
According to eyewitness account, the armed robbers trailed the vehicle to Akwa-Ukwu and when the driver didn’t stop to be robbed they opened fire on the vehicle during which four persons lost their lives while others sustained injuries from the accident. “The armed robbers tried to stop the vehicle which we suspected belonged to Imo Transport Company, (ITC) but the driver refused to stop and they opened fire on the vehicle killing four persons on the spot while the driver lost control of the steering and the vehicle skidded off the road and crashed leading to many other persons to sustaining various degrees of injuries”
He further disclosed that some other persons fell victims when stray bullets from the robbers’ AK 47 rifles hit them” said an eye witness In another development, a driver and one other passenger lost their lives at the fly over, Obosi junction also along Onitsha Owerri Expressway when another armed robbery gang blocked the road and robbed travellers. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon when the driver and the other victims were said to have been hit by bullets as the armed robbers tried to rob one woman suspected to be carrying undisclosed huge sum of money.
Though the woman did not die on the spot, her left shoulder was scattered with bullets even as she is grappling with life in one of the private hospitals in Onitsha. A visit to Bex hospital where some of the victims were receiving treatment showed that some of them who were badly wounded were being evacuated to other hospitals for treatment. Meanwhile, when contacted, the Anambra state Police Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka said he has not been officially briefed on the incident but promised to reach this reporter at the time of filling this report.

SUN