Chief Boniface Mgebu, a former Ebonyi State Permanent Secretary and current electoral commissioner, narrowly escaped death after armed assailants ambushed him along the Obubura-Enyida road.
The attackers initially attempted to overpower him during the assault, but a fierce struggle ensued.
Consequently, they set his Hilux Jeep ablaze and destroyed his cash, phones, and personal belongings inside, greatly increasing his distress.
Now, recovering at Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Mgebu recalls how two men intercepted his journey home to Noyo Alike village last evening, dramatically altering his plans.
He described, “They forced their way into my car—one grabbed the steering wheel, while the other pointed a gun at me,” trembling and filled with fear as he recounted the terrifying experience.
The assailants sped toward an unknown location as Mgebu fought back desperately.
During the struggle, the vehicle careened into a ditch and burst into flames.
“I can’t tell if they set the fire or if it was an accident, but by God’s grace, I survived,” Mgebu explained.
Passersby rescued him from the wreckage and rushed him to the hospital with minor injuries.
Meanwhile, the commissioner has reported the incident to Abakaliki police headquarters and appealed to Governor Francis Nwifuru for medical and financial support.
“Those criminals took everything—my car, documents, life savings,” he lamented. Community leaders have condemned the attack, demanding urgent security improvements on rural roads.
This violent incident highlights rising safety concerns across Ebonyi, where travelers increasingly face armed robberies and kidnappings.
Residents now avoid isolated routes after dusk, fearing similar attacks.
Police authorities remain tight-lipped about investigation progress, fueling public frustration over delayed justice.
Local vigilante groups have since intensified nighttime patrols along the Obubura-Enyida stretch. “We can’t wait for official security alone; our lives matter,” said a youth leader from Izzi.
The state government has yet to comment on proposed road safety measures or victim compensation plans.
Mgebu’s ordeal mirrors broader security challenges plaguing Nigeria’s hinterlands, where understaffed police divisions struggle against well-armed gangs.
While victims like him wait for justice, civil societies actively urge comprehensive reforms; they emphasize improving policing.
Furthermore, they advocate establishing community alert systems to prevent similar tragedies from happening again in the future.
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