There was apprehension and tangible fear at Umuorie Autonomous community in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State following the murder of a truck driver by gunmen.

The victim who was identified as Isreal Nwobilo, was abducted with his assistant driver on Saturday 18 June, when they went to site to carry sand, just by a neighbouring community Umukalu.

According to a community source, “the victim went to a sand excavation site at a neighbouring Umukalu Community to get sand when he was abducted with his assistant driver (conductor) by unknown gunmen into the nearby bush.

“The ‘conductor’ was said to have been so lucky that he later escaped from their abductors and raised the alarm in the community. Consequently, the youths mobilised on Monday and began to comb the bush in search of the victim.

“His lifeless body was said to have been discovered by the search party who tied it to sticks and convey it home before advancing to Obehie town for a protest.

“Irate youths in the community went on rampage on Monday with the corpse of the victim to register their grievances.  The youths in a viral video carried the corpse of the victim stripped to wooden poles and marched through the streets of Obehie town.

“The overtly livid youths who also carried fresh palm leaves in their mouths signaling danger, chanted war songs as they protested.”

According to Vanguard, efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Abia, was abortive.