By Chuks Moses, Awka
Unknown gunmen in their late 20s numbering about 20 this afternoon invaded and exchanged fire with soldiers stationed at the Agulu Towns community hall, where a free medical outreach was in progress.
In the hot exchange of fire which lasted for about 40 minutes, one soldier lost his life.
Some natives living and running businesses opposite the town hall sustained bullet wounds.
The unfortunate incident nearly affected the smooth operations of the scheduled 2022 free medical outreach for citizens of the area being organized by a non-governmental organisation – Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo Foundation. The outreach is in its fourth day and is being sponsored by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dozie Nwankwo.
Nwankwo represents Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia Federal Constituency and is presently aspiring to replace Senator Lilian Uche Ekwunife for the Anambra Central Senatorial seat in the National Assembly.
The gunmen, who visibly caught the soldiers unawares, invaded the Agulu community hall, an earshot away from Mr Peter Obi’s personal house, came into the hall, startled the medics and the patients who were rounding up for the day at about 2.00 p.m.
The gun totting young men came in barking orders-“where are they, where are the soldiers? You cannot lock up Nnamdi Kanu and come here to feel free!”
In a flash, the sound of bullets rent the air,shattering glasses.
According to eyewitnesses, when the crossfire ended, one soldier lay dead on the Awka-Agulu-Nanka-Ekwulobia highway.
His remains was quickly cordoned off by other soldiers while a reinforcement of more men arrived in minutes.
The road was immediately closed to traffic while the soldiers numbering about 20 patrolled the entire neighbourhood, apparently combing and searching for the gunmen.
Some journalists who had come to cover the free medical program and other people sustained injuries. In addition, those who brought their own vehicles were locked up and prevented from going by the soldiers, at the time of filing this report.