10 killed as security operatives, kidnappers clash in Abia
National News Sep 30, 2009

By Eric Ugbor

ABA—TEN Persons in cluding two policemen, a soldier and a pregnant woman were yesterday killed when security agents and kidnappers clashed in different parts of Aba South and Obingwa Local Government Areas of Abia state.

This is coming barely one month after hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers sacked the entire police station at Umuobiakwa in the same Obingwa Local Government Area of the state, killing an inmate in their desperation to release one of the suspects held at the police state.

The security situation in Aba and the entire Aba South senatorial zone of the state is now source of concern to residents of the area, as activities of hoodlums continues unabated despite stringent security measures employed by the Abia state government to checkmate their activities.

Last Sunday, at Nnetu in Aba South Local Government Area of the state, the police on a tip-off confronted kidnappers with their victim and in an exchange of gun fire, in which the police overpowered the kidnappers, three of them were killed at the spot, while the remaining two, who ran into the bush were chased and arrested by the special security squad operating in the state.

Unfortunately, the victim of the kidnappers identified as a prominent businessman in Aba, was killed in the exchanged gun fire, while many other residents of the area sustained severe injuries.

And just this week, the latest clash at Abayi in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia state, claimed the lives of two policemen, a soldier, a pregnant woman and three other civilians.

When Vanguard visited Abayi, the village was in mourning mood as residents of the area were seen in corners, lamenting the ugly incident that had befalling their village.
A traditional ruler in the Village, who preferred his name not to be mentioned, told Vanguard that the incident happened when residents of the area arrested two suspected robbers in the village and invited the police to come and take them (suspects) to their station.

Unknown to the villagers, the suspects belonged to a gang and while they were waiting for the arrival of the policemen, other members of the gang got the wind of the arrest and re-enforced and stormed the village.

He said, “when the policemen finally arrived, they met the entire gang, who confronted them and in the process, shooting ensued between the security agents and the gang.