The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North federal constituency was never attacked or harassed by unknown gunmen in Ohafia, AbaCityBlog correspondent can exclusively reports.
AbaCityBlog recall that the media has been awash by the alleged reports that unknown gunmen harassed the Senator in Ebem community in Ohafia local government area of Abia State.
It should also, be recalled that the former Abia State governor had embarked on a townhall meeting, to ascertain the impact of his representative projects on the people of his constituency.
Kalu, who started from Umunneochi LGA, went to Ohafia on Wednesday, however, after his visit, reports had it that there was a heavy shooting between the men of the Nigerian Army and unknown gunmen in the community.
In an exclusive reports by AbaCityBlog correspondent who was on ground when the incident took place, he said Senator Kalu, contrary to what online blogs earlier reported, was never harassed nor accosted by the unknown gunmen in Ohafia.
Senator Orji Kalu never visited Ebem in Ohafia during his townhall meeting. “He didn’t visit Ebem, contrary to what bloggers are reporting, he only paid a visit to Asaga, Amangwu, Akanu and Okunu communities.”
On our way out of Asaga community, when his convoy approached the 14 Brigade, Army barracks, we found out that the road was blocked by the Army, they told Senator Kalu to use the Bende road, but he refused.
“When we get to Army barracks in Ohafia, we saw the Army blocking the road, they asked Senator Kalu’s convoy to use Bende road, he personally told them no, that he must use the road and they opened it for us to pass, that was what happened, he never visited Ebem.
Speaking further, our correspondent said Kalu was never attacked or visited the Army barracks, even when we get to the barracks, we saw the Army shooting, stressing that the shooting started even before their visit.
“At Okunu Ohafia, Senator Kalu was deeply appreciated by the people because they said they’re happy that he is building road for them and they need it,”
Our correspondent added that it was false to report that the shooting started because of Senator’s visit.
AbaCityBlog recalled that after senator Kalu left Ohafia, he took to his official Facebook page and thanked the people for their warm welcome.
Ohafia residents described Senator Kalu as the first politician that has given them road and electricity, first, when he was Abia Governor and now as a senator.
Corroborating to what our correspondent said, the Army on Thursday, told Vanguard that the shooting started because the soldiers were responding to a distress call from their colleague in Ebem community where he was attacked by the unknown gunmen, but later rescued from his hideout.
Military source from the Brigade who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the rescued soldier had gone to Ebem market in a commercial motorcycle to buy groceries when he noticed that he was being trailed by Some armed men
“He heard when the gunmen were asking about a soldier that okada just brought and quickly hide somewhere and from his hideout, he sent an SOS message to the Brigade.
“Soldiers were mobilized for his rescue and the gunmen who are members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) engaged the soldiers.
“Two of them were killed. A pump action gun, cutlasses and two motorbikes belonging to the gunmen were recovered from them.
“It was while the soldiers were on patrol in the community, after rescuing the other soldier, that they discovered that the gunmen had killed a soldier in the same community.”
