NSUKKA, Nigeria – Tension is rising in Nsukka and neighbouring communities following the alleged murder of a local government councillor, Nelson Sylvester, popularly known as Ofunwa.
Sylvester, who represented the Eha-Ulo ward in the Nsukka Local Government Area Legislative Council, Enugu State, was reportedly shot dead at his residence in Eha-Alumonah on Sunday, July 16, 2023.
Details of the incident remain unclear at this time.
However, according to a reliable source who wished to remain anonymous, unidentified assailants stormed Sylvester’s residence and opened fire on the councillor.
The source said the lifeless body of the councillor was later discovered in a neighbouring compound, suggesting he had tried to escape his attackers.
“It is heartbreaking; it is too hard for us to swallow. We are in deep agony,” the source stated, describing the incident as one of many suspected assassinations in the area. The murder has sparked fear and unease among residents in Nsukka and surrounding communities.
Attempts to confirm the incident from the Enugu State Police were unsuccessful.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Enugu, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, reportedly said he could not respond to calls.
As of this report, it remains unknown if any leads or suspects have been identified concerning Sylvester’s alleged assassination.
The community awaits further updates from the police regarding their investigation into this shocking incident.
IPOB Gunmen Kill ‘Keke’ Driver and Passenger Enforcing Sit-at-Home in Owerri
A tricycle (Keke) driver and a pedestrian have been fatally shot at the Akwakuma junction in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, amid an illegal seven-day sit-at-home order enforcement.
Reports suggest that the gunmen stormed the area in a Sienna bus on Saturday, July 8, 2023, enforcing the sit-at-home order with a hail of bullets that sent locals scrambling for safety.
The tricycle driver, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, was allegedly scouting for passengers at the junction when he was caught off-guard and shot in the chest.
This incident occurred mere hours after parts of the popular Orie Amaraku market and several parked vehicles were set ablaze, believed to be the handiwork of the same sit-at-home order enforcers.
An eyewitness, a local tailor who requested anonymity, revealed to journalists that a stray bullet also hit another pedestrian during the attack.
She described the scene as “terrible,” noting that the junction is currently deserted due to fear of the gunmen.
Residents of Akwakuma community expressed their frustration at the brazen attack, questioning the effectiveness of nearby military checkpoints.
One resident criticised the security agents, saying, “If it had been that security agents mounting illegal checkpoints on every inch of our roads searching both the occupants and vehicles instead of extorting money, this ugly incident would have been nipped in the bud.”
Another local voiced concern over the deteriorating security situation, particularly in rural communities, questioning the credibility of government and security agencies’ advice to ignore the sit-at-home orders and go about their normal businesses.
“We are in trouble,” the resident lamented, highlighting the difficult choice between obeying the government and security agencies, who are seemingly failing to protect the people, or the group enforcing the sit-at-home order.
As of this report’s filing, Henry Okoye, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, had not yet responded to the incident.
