BREAKING (EBONYI): Gunmen Kill Two Soldiers, Civilian, At Checkpoint | READ IN FULL

According to the Vanguard, the incident occurred on Monday at about 8:48pm, where some gunmen in a white bus, shot the two soldiers and the civilian at a checkpoint on the Timber Junction area, in the Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.

Those injured as a result of the incident were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment while the deceased were deposited at the hospital.

The gunmen reportedly carted away with the shot soldiers' riffles while others at the Checkpoint ran inside the bush for safety.

A community source, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen arrived the checkpoint in a white bus and as the military men stopped them for a search, they opened fire on them.

According to the source, the situation threw the two busy towns of Amasiri and Afikpo into panic, as natives especially petty traders hurriedly packed their goods and went home.

"It's a very sad situation here. They said it was people suspected to be gunmen, who came to the checkpoint at Timber Shade (boundary Ehugbo and Amasiri) in white bus.

"As usual, it appeared the military were checking them and all of a sudden, they opened fire on them. Two of the military men, a man and woman, died. Others ran away.

"The area is as quiet as the graveyard. These bordering villages used to be very busy and people here are farmers and traders. But the moment that happened, people started going home. Nobody is seen outside as I speak to you. Every place is calm. There is fear here now. My brother, the world is about to endÔÇØ he said.

A reliable security source confirmed the incident at the time of filing this report.

The DPO of Afikpo North Local Government Area, is said to be aware of the incident but has not yet notified the Public Relations Department of the Ebonyi State Police Command.