Shootout in Abonnema: Two soldiers killed in Rivers as army vows to hunt down escaping gunmen

Gloom seems to be overshadowing Rivers State hours before the dreaded re-run elections as two soldiers patrolling a part of the tension-soaked state have been gunned down by unknown gunmen, late Thursday morning.

In the same vein, a man was beheaded in another part of the state where someone was also abducted early the same day.

As of the time of going to press, details were sketchy but information filtering into the state capital said an Army Major and three other soldiers were attacked in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Council Area of the state Thursday by well-armed gunmen.

The 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt (Bori Camp) under the 82 Division (in Enugu) confirmed the loss of personnel in the pre-election violence.

Eli Lazarus, a captain and assistant director, Army Public Relations, issued a confirmation thus: “At about 11am today, Thursday 17, March 2016, troops on patrol in Abonemma, Akukutoru LGA of Rivers State had a fierce encounter with unknown gunmen. Our troops displayed extraordinary valour. Unfortunately, an officer and a soldier who sustained various degrees of injury during the encounter lost their lives.

“We are in pursuit of the criminals and we will surely get them. All law-abiding citizens are urged to go about their lawful activities. The Army will continue to make necessary sacrifices to ensure sustainable peace, security of lives and property of all.”

Abonnema has been under watch after a man was set ablaze last week in a killing that has since been termed political.

Meanwhile, the tension increased after early morning information that gunmen visited Mgbutainwo in Emohua Local Council Area of the state and beheaded a 28-year-old man simply identified as Ukeoma. The village is where a senatorial candidate in the re-run election, Andrew Uchendu, who was many years in the House of Reps, comes from.

The gunmen allegedly abducted another man from the area. Fear and tension have gripped the residents of the community.

A prominent man of the community who did not want his name in print told BusinessDay that it did not matter whether the killings were political or not. “Somebody is sponsoring them. This shows that everybody is at risk. In fact, there is no security.”