- She was hit by stray bullets during a shootout between security operatives and the assailants
An attack on Nnobi in Anambra State by gunmen has claimed the life of a 22-year-old newly-wedded bride
The deceased, who was said to have had her traditional marriage last week, was the only child of her parents.
A family source, who is familiar with the matter and spoke in confidence with newsmen, disclosed that the deceased was waiting for her husband based overseas to return home before she met her end in the hands of the rampaging gunmen.
She was hit by stray bullets during a shootout between security operatives and the assailants who were said to be enforcing the Monday sit-at-home, according to Punch.
Within Nigeria had reported that some yet-to-be-identified assailants on Monday attacked Nnewi town in Nnewi North LGA and Nnobi in Idemili South LGA, killing a yet-to-be-ascertained number of persons, including some vigilante operatives, while several other persons were injured.
“Among those killed yesterday (Monday) at Nnobi was a relative of mine. She was a newly traditionally married bride of one week old, who was waiting for her husband based abroad to return. She was 22 years old and the only child of her parents.
“It was a heartbreaking incident and a heavy blow on the family yesterday (Monday). Her mum sent her to their farm to bring vegetables for the preparation of their food. On her way back home, she was hit by stray bullets during the gunfire between security officials and those dare-devil criminals” Punch quoted the source as saying.
The source, who lamented the widespread violence and wanton killings in the south east, wondered why no one has been arrest in connection to the attack after 24 hours.
While reacting to the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Anambra State police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police had ordered an immediate manhunt on the assailants based on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam.
Ikenga assured the people that the police would get justice for the heroic act of the murdered vigilante operative and others who were killed in the attack.
He said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has ordered an immediate manhunt operation on the armed men operating in a red Highlander jeep, who abducted a citizen in Nnewi by 1:30 pm on Monday and were trailed to Nnobi, where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle.
“During the gun duel, one of the security operatives was fatally hit by the bullet, and due to the indiscriminate shootings by the hoodlums in an attempt to escape the scene, the bullet also fatally struck two innocent passersby in the area.
“The Police Responding Team at the scene recovered the bodies of the victims and took them to the hospital but regrettably, three of the victims, including a 22-year-old lady were confirmed dead by the doctors on duty while two others are currently receiving treatment.
“The commissioner condemned the killing in the strongest possible terms and described the killers as cowards who have murdered sleep.”
Ikenga said the CP also condoled with the families of the deceased and vowed to get justice for the heroic vigilante operative and unsuspecting members at the scene.
He also called on members of the public, especially the eyewitnesses to assist the police with information on the ongoing operation, adding that further development would be communicated