Two suspected political thugs have reportedly been k!ll£d following an att@ck on the convoy of Rollins Offia Nwali, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ezza South Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
According to SaharaReporters, the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon as Nwali and his team were returning from Amazekewe community in Ebonyi State.
Security sources told the publication that armed attackers, allegedly carrying AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns, opened fire on the candidate’s convoy.
The security personnel attached to Nwali reportedly moved him and members of his team to safety before engaging the attackers in a gun battle.
One of the suspected attackers was reportedly killed at the scene, while another was said to have died later in hospital. The first victim was identified by a source as Jude Nwamgbada. However, the report noted that the death of the second suspect had not been conclusively confirmed and that the identities and political affiliations of the attackers could not be independently verified.
Confirming the att@ck in a statement shared on his Facebook page, Nwali said armed hoodlums opened fire on his motorcade while they were returning from Amazekewe community.
He disclosed that his Toyota Hilux was set ablaze and completely burnt during the incident. However, he said he and members of his team escaped unharmed, while expressing appreciation to the security agencies for protecting them.
The NDC candidate also acknowledged reports of casualties among the alleged attackers, expressing sympathy for those affected and their families. He described the loss of human life as regrettable, regardless of the circumstances.
Nwali subsequently appealed to young people not to allow themselves to be used by politicians for their personal ambitions. He warned that no political ambition was worth the life of any young person.
He also vowed that the attack would not deter him from pursuing his ambition to serve the people of Ezza South, insisting that intimidation and violence would not stop him.
