Tension has gripped Nwezenyi Community in Igbeagu, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, after reports emerged that at least three people were shot dead around 11pm on Sunday.
A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the shooting occurred near the Assembly of God Church. “Around 11pm, we heard gunshots and rushed indoors. We don’t know if it was a clash between cults or hoodlums attacking people,” the source said. He added that bodies of three victims were recovered by Monday morning, but residents remain afraid to leave their homes.
Another local, whose shop is in the area, confirmed the incident. “I closed my shop at 10pm and went home. This morning, people called to warn me not to come out because of what happened last night. We don’t know exactly what occurred,” he said.
When contacted, Mr Joshua Ukandu, Police Public Relations Officer for Ebonyi State Command, said he was not aware of the situation.
The community is still reeling from a recent kidnapping incident in the same area, in which three siblings—Favour, Obinna, and Kamso Okeoha—were abducted two Saturdays ago while their parents were away. Residents described the abduction as shocking and carefully planned.
According to a source, “The young woman rented an apartment on Thursday, moved in Friday, and kidnapped the three siblings on Saturday. Because she stayed only one day, nobody knew her identity.”
Another resident noted that the suspect had decorated her apartment with the words “One Love,” creating a false impression of friendliness. Our correspondent, visiting the scene on Monday morning, observed that her apartment was the only one with such inscriptions.
The parents of the kidnapped children were not available for comment, though sympathizers gathered in the area awaiting their return.
