Panic and grief have gripped the Amakama community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State after a former vigilante commander allegedly killed a woman and seriously wounded two other people before fleeing the scene, prompting a police manhunt.

The Abia State Police Command confirmed the killing of a woman, Ezinna Ariwodo, by one Chinedu Anamelechi in Umunagu Amakama, Umuahia South LGA. The suspect, who was said to be a local security personnel, also stabbed his girlfriend, who is the sister of the deceased and shot another young man from Amakama before fleeing to an unknown location.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Maureen Chinaka, she said that upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command swiftly raced to the scene, where they found the lifeless body of the deceased in a pool of blood with gunshot injuries. The injured victims were rescued and rushed to hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. The deceased was confirmed dead by medical personnel, and her body has been deposited in the morgue for autopsy and preservation. Exhibits were also recovered from the scene.

Eyewitness accounts indicate the suspect first attacked a woman with a knife, inflicting fatal injuries. He was also alleged to have shot a young man who attempted to stop the assault. The incident reportedly unfolded within a short span of time and escalated rapidly, leaving residents unable to intervene, throwing the community into panic.

A member of a local security outfit in Umuahia, Bright Nwabuko of the Ottawike Security Outfit, confirmed awareness of the incident, expressing shock at the violence attributed to a former fellow security operative in the community.

The Abia State Police Command has confirmed that an active manhunt has been launched to apprehend the fleeing suspect. DSP Chinaka assured the public that the command is committed to tracking down the suspect and ensuring that justice is served. Investigations into the circumstances of the attack are ongoing.

Residents of Amakama and adjoining communities have continued to express concern over the incident, calling for swift justice and stronger security measures to prevent a recurrence of such violent attacks.

The incident has cast a dark shadow over a community that has faced recurring security challenges in recent times. Umuahia South has previously witnessed violence including kidnappings in the Amakama community area, prompting the local state Assembly member to raise emergency alarms about security deterioration in the constituency.

The Abia State Police Command has urged anyone with information about the whereabouts of Chinedu Anamelechi to contact the nearest police station or reach the Command’s emergency lines immediately.