BY Peter Okutu

ABAKALIKI – CHAIRMAN of Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Chief Ikeuwa Omebe and the leader of the Legislative Council, Mr. Daniel Nweke, weekend, escaped death by the whiskers after five gunmen attacked and shot them while they were returning from a traditional wedding in the state.

They were said to be returning from the wedding ceremony of the Chairman’s driver when the gunmen attacked them along Ukwuachi axis of Enugu-Abakaliki expressway around 9pm. It was gathered that the gunmen were on motorbikes.

Chief Omebe was said to have sustained serious gunshot wound on his back; Nweke sustained gunshot wounds on both his back and buttocks.

A source said: “Yesterday, at about 9.30pm, we got a distress call that the Chairman of Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was attacked by unknown gunmen along the Ukwuachi axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki Express road.

“We put a call across to the council boss and one of the victims confirmed the incident. The gunmen laid ambush for them along the Enugu Abakaliki Express road while they were returning from a traditional marriage in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

“When they got to Ukwuachi, the gunmen blocked their car and demanded for some money. However, the gunmen immediately opened fire on them.”

Vanguard gathered that the council boss had been transferred from the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, FETHA, where he was initially admitted, to an undisclosed hospital in Enugu.