Another source told SaharaReporters that the road has become a nightmare for motorists and commuters recently after the government stopped paying members of the neighbourhood watch security outfit manning the road.
Gunmen who kidnapped Mr Chizoba Ugwueze, a former councillor of Ikem Ward 1 in Enugu State, on Friday and killed one Ejike Ugwueze who was riding with him, have demanded a ransom of N100 million.
SaharaReporters gathered that the immediate past councillor and his friend, Ejike Ugwueze, were returning to the Enugu State capital from a burial in their Ikem community when they ran into the criminals.
Chizoba was reportedly driving while the late Ejike, a brother of a former member of the State House of Assembly, who died of COVID-19 complications on June 4, 2020, was in front passenger side when the incident happened.
According to eyewitnesses, the hoodlums shot Ejike when the driver, Chizoba was trying to reverse the vehicle to probably find an escape route.
The unfortunate incident happened around 5:30 p.m. on that Friday.
A family member who spoke to SaharaReporters on Monday, on condition of anonymity, dismissed the report of assassination.
The source explained that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N100 million for the release of Chizoba Ugwueze, who just finished his term in office as councillor of Ikem Ward 1, in the Isi-Uzo local government area of the state.
The family source said, "Ejike was shot when they were trying to escape. They were driving along Neke Odenigbo, a community in Enugu East local government area of the state. That axis is a security nightmare for motorists plying Ugwogo-Nike - Neke - Ikem Road.
“For years now, so many people have been kidnapped and killed at that spot. So, there's nothing like assassination in this matter.
"Meanwhile, contrary to the reports that Ejike was contesting for council election, Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission just released the timetable for the October LGA election in the state. Nobody has bought the form and Ejike hasn't told us - his brothers - that he is aspiring to contest for anything. So, we don't know how they manufactured this fallacious report. Yes, he was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)."
The source also called on the state police command to ensure the release and safe return of Chizoba Ugwueze, who is currently in the kidnappers' den.
Another source told SaharaReporters that the road has become a nightmare for motorists and commuters recently after the government stopped paying members of the neighbourhood watch security outfit manning the road.
"We have begged both the police and military to put up checkpoints along that route but they said the road doesn't have much traffic.
“Unfortunately, the state government could not sustain the payment of local security agents who took it upon themselves to man the road. Since Peter Mbah's administration came into power, the government has stopped paying the local vigilantes securing the road. Because of that, they left and the road and it become too risky.
"The day Ejike's brother was buried, some people who went for the burial were kidnapped at the same spot where he was killed. Some of those who were kidnapped have not returned to date. The incident happened in June 2020 under the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi."
A viral video, apparently recorded shortly after the incident, has been circulating on WhatsApp.
In the clip, the lifeless body of Ejike is seen in a Lexus SUV which has been riddled with bullets. The vehicle’s doors were left open.
Meanwhile, the state police command confirmed the tragic incident as the command's spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said his colleagues were investigating the attack.