Two suspected attackers of a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Rollins Offia Nwali, have reportedly died following a gun battle with security personnel after an attack on his convoy in Ebonyi State.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon as Nwali, the NDC candidate for Ezza South Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, and his team were returning from Amazekewe community, according to a report by SaharaReporters.
Security sources cited by the publication said the suspected attackers, allegedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns, opened fire on the candidate’s convoy, prompting his security detail to engage them in a gun battle after moving Nwali and his team to safety.
One of the suspected attackers was reportedly killed at the scene, while another was said to have died later in hospital. A source identified the first alleged casualty as Jude Nwamgbada.
However, the report noted that the second death had not been conclusively confirmed. The identities and political affiliations of the suspected attackers could also not be independently verified.
Confirming the attack in a statement posted on his Facebook page, Nwali said armed hoodlums opened fire on his motorcade and set his Toyota Hilux ablaze, completely destroying the vehicle.
He said he and members of his team escaped unharmed and expressed appreciation to the security agencies for their protection.
The candidate also expressed sympathy for those reportedly killed in the incident and their families, describing 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 to pursue personal ambitions, warning that no political ambition was worth the life of any young person.
He vowed that the attack would not deter him from pursuing his ambition to represent Ezza South in the state legislature, insisting that intimidation and violence would not stop him.
Editorial note: The headline uses “reportedly killed” because the source does not conclusively confirm both deaths.
