Description

Four gunmen have been killed by soldiers attached to the 144 Battalion of the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Aba, Abia State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened around 2pm on Wednesday at Uratta, Aba axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The gunmen, who wore black clothes, reportedly marched through popular streets and markets, informing traders and residents about the imposition of a two-day sit-at-home order slated for Thursday and Friday.

They were said to have warned residents against disobeying the order, expected to be observed across South-Eastern states in protest against the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd)’s planned visit to Ebonyi State on Thursday.

A source said while the hoodlums were spreading the information, some shop owners started closing.

On getting to the Uratta Junction, they reportedly had a face-off with soldiers, which resulted in a gun duel.

Four of the gunmen, including their leader, were reportedly killed, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

A military source at the 14 Brigade confirmed the incident.

The source equally confirmed the recovery of charms and life tortoise from the leader of the group.

However, a resident claimed that a group of street urchins reported the gang to the police and the army which led to the gun duel.

Efforts to get a response from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, were futile as calls to his phone number did not go through.