Gunmen dressed in black opened fire on a military checkpoint in Abia State, causing a stir and issuing direct threats to Governor Alex Otti.
The attack reportedly took place on Wednesday morning at the Umuopara, Ekenobizi area in Umuahia South Local Government, close to the boundary between Abia and Imo states.
According to an eyewitness, the gunmen launched a sudden assault on the checkpoint, with shots fired in every direction.
“Some gunmen this morning attacked a military checkpoint at Umuopara, Ekenobizi area of Umuahia South Local government Council, close to Onu Imo, the boundary between Abia and Imo states,” the source told SaharaReporters.
A video capturing the incident’s aftermath was observed by Naija News, showing the assailants firing and warning Governor Otti.
In the footage, one of the attackers could be heard issuing a pointed threat: “We’re removing it, Alex Chioma Otti, we are removing it. Alex, we’re giving you people order. We say (sic) we don’t need this kind of nonsense again. Today is 13th of November 2024. Alex, we’re dismantling this checkpoint and we’re giving you a direct order not to come close, if we see this nonsense again, Alex, you are gone. If we see this nonsense again, you are gone Alex.”
Like other southeastern states, Abia has been grappling with rising insecurity marked by frequent attacks.
See the video below: