By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A top shot of the Anambra State Vigilante Group popularly known as Shaba and two of his orderlies were on Wednesday evening killed by unknown assailants in Igboukwu, a neighbouring town to Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s community, Isuofia.

The vigilante officer was at a bar in Nkwo market, Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, in the company of his yet-to-be-identified orderlies when the gunmen opened fire on them.

The attackers were said to have driven to the bar, alighted from their vehicle and opened fire on the two orderlies of the vigilante at the entrance of the bar before going inside to shoot the officer dead.

Details of the incident were still sketchy at the time of filing this report, but there are feelers that the vigilante officer was a member of the controversial Ebubeagu South-East security outfit.

A report making the rounds claims that the killing was carried out by members of a kidnapping ring whose leader was busted by Shaba’s team some days ago.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, while confirming the incident said that a deliberate operation has been set in place to apprehend the attackers, adding that surveillance has been intensified within the area.

He said: “There is a deliberate operation ongoing now aimed at apprehending the attackers. Meanwhile, patrols have been intensified within Aguata and its environs. Further development shall be communicated please.”