By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

One Ebonyi man was allegedly killed and others injured when suspected thugs attacked the convoy of Rollins Offia-Nwali, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ezza South Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

Offia-Nwali, who disclosed this in a statement signed and issued to newsmen in Abakaliki shortly after the incident, said the attackers opened fire on his motorcade as it returned from Amazekewe, setting his Toyota Hilux ablaze.

He said he and members of his entourage escaped unhurt, crediting security operatives with ensuring their safety.

Although the candidate expressed sympathy for those affected by the incident, details of the reported casualties and the identities of the victims were not immediately available.

Condemning the violence, Offia-Nwali urged young people not to allow themselves to be used by politicians for personal ambition, warning that no political contest was worth the loss of human lives.

“No political ambition is worth the life of any young person,” he said.

He vowed that the attack would not deter him from pursuing his ambition to serve the people of Ezza South, insisting that intimidation and violence would not weaken his resolve.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Ebonyi State Police Command were unsuccessful as of press time. 

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Joshua Ukandu, had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The reported casualties and circumstances surrounding the attack had not been independently confirmed as of the time of filing this report.