NIGERIA: Unknown Gunmen Attack Abia State Commissioner

Unknown gunmen have attacked the Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Kenneth Nwosu, shooting him severally on his way home after the day’s work. According to a source, the gunmen who waylaid Nwosu at the Amakama —- Olokoro road in Umuahia South council area acted like hired assassins because they did not take collect anything from his vehicle.

 The incident which happened at about 7pm yesterday (Wednesday) was said to have left the Commissioner badly injured as the gunmen shot him at the abdomen at close range. “We were attracted by the gunshots. When it died down, we started hearing cries for help. We later summoned courage and went to the scene, only to discover that it was the Commissioner who was attacked. He was taken to the hospital. One of the people who were with him told us that the gunmen blocked his car as he was descending the hill and started shooting. The Commissioner and his aides alighted from the car and took to their heels, but the gunmen caught up and shot him at the abdomen. He lost too much blood.”

Nwosu who was a Director at the National Roots Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, before his present appointment, was said to be receiving medical attention at the intensive care unit of an undisclosed hospital at Umuahia.

 Attempts to reach the Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Geoffrey Ogbonna according to sorces was not successful, but a senior police officer at the State command headquarters confirmed the incident adding that the police have launched a manhunt for the fleeing gunmen.