Abakaliki  – Unidentified gunmen on Saturday at Ukwuakpu axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki express road attacked the Chairman, Ezza North Local Government of Ebonyi, Mr Ikeuwa Omebe.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Sunday at Abakaliki, said that Omebe was attacked at 9pm.

He said that the chairman was returning from the wedding of his driver in his official car when the incident occurred.

According to him, Omebe was attacked by Omebe alongside the leader of the legislative arm of the council, Mr Daniel Nweke.

He added that the gunmen numbering five operated with motorbikes and laid ambush for the chairman who drove himself.

“When they got to Ukwuachi, the gunmen blocked their car and demanded for some money. The gunmen opened fire on them before they could respond to their demand.

“The intriguing thing was the mode of the gunmen’s operation, as it could not therefore be deduced whether they came for money or to assassinate him,” he said.

NAN gathered that passersby came to the rescue of the victims, who sustained injuries from the attack and took them to a nearby hospital and been transferred to an undisclosed private hospital in Enugu.

The Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Mr Adeola Adeniji, confirmed the incident, saying that the victims sustained gunshot wounds.

“The police will investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that the culprits are brought to book,” he assured. (NAN)