By CHARLES IWUOHA

Tragedy struck Afikpo community, in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as kidnappers invaded the area killing one and whisked away two others.

News Express learnt that the hoodlums stormed the community about 8:00 p.m. on New Year day along Ndibe Beach Road and opened fire on a motorcade escorting a personality in the area.

Further investigation revealed that the kidnap syndicate numbering five trailed the convoy carrying some Afikpo sons and daughters who came in from London for the Yuletide. On getting closer they opened fire behind the personality’s car and started shooting sporadically.

On sensing that something was wrong, the driver of one of the cars pulled up and the hoodlums went straight for the victims and ordered the two ladies, who came from London, and a boy – a relation in their company who came in from Owerri, lmo State – into their car.

Not yet done, the hoodlums attempted to stop the car conveying the personality possibly to kidnap him, but the driver of the Jeep refused to stop and they rained bullets on the Jeep and subsequently shot the tyres.

But an eye witness (names withheld) said that sensing danger, the driver rather sped off and managed to escape even as driver’s master sustained bullet wounds.

The witness said that fearing that passers-by may raise the alarm, the kidnappers zoomed off with their three victims and on noticing that one of the girls, who came in from London for Christmas holiday, was lifeless after sustaining gun shots, pushed her out of the car.

Further investigation revealed that the kidnappers had called a member of the family of one of the victims and demanded for N50m as ransom.

As at the time of filling this report, the personality that was the main target was said to be in one of the hospitals in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, receiving treatment.