The 2023 House of Representatives Standard-bearer of the Labour Party for Ohafia/Arochukwu federal constituency of Abia State, Ibe Okwara Osonwa, has expressed dismay over the loss of lives at the Amaekpu Ohafia area of Abia North Senatorial district of the state.
Recall that two unknown gunmen and a yet-to-be-identified soldier attached to the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia State, had a gun duel in the area.
The soldier was said to be responding to a distress call from his colleague in Ebem community when he was attacked by the unknown gunmen but was later rescued from his hideout.
The soldiers had killed two of the unknown gunmen in the ensuing gun duel.
Military sources narrated that the deceased soldier was on an errand in the community when he was attacked and killed by the unknown gunmen who trailed him.
A shop owner from Amuda in the Isuikwuato council area but resident in Ohafia with her family died from a stray bullet during the gun duel between the soldiers and the gunmen.
Reacting, Mr Ibe Okwara Osonwa, in a statement issued to journalists in Umuahia on Friday, commiserated with the families of those that lost loved ones during the ugly incident and prayed that their souls be accepted in heaven.
He also implored residents of Ohafia local government area of the state to remain calm and law-abiding to avoid undue response from the military as they are clearly in a heightened mode of alert.
His statement partly read, “I have received messages of the loss of another life today in Amaekpu with dismay. I was ironically in contact with my Ebem brother yesterday when the shooting started and I asked him to go and seek shelter.
I want to use this opportunity to commiserate with the families of those that have lost loved ones today and yesterday and pray that their souls be accepted in heaven by our maker.
“I have been in contact with the authorities within the military in Abuja and I know that my senior friend and brother SAN is also reaching out to seek resolutions to the current issue with the same authorities.
“I plead with everyone who also has such contacts synergies so that our cry is loud and united. It is my opinion that we also reach out to our various community Ezie-Ogo’s to seek communal peace and co-existence.
“I pray that all our collective efforts will result in a return of calm and tranquillity to our community. May the good Lord and the Prince of Peace return peace to Ohafia, Amen”.