Four youths were reportedly killed and many others injured at the weekend by operatives of Ebonyi State security outfit, Ebubeagu, in Amasiri, Afikpo North Local Government Area.

Some of the injured persons were said to have been forcibly taken to Abakaliki, the state capital, by security operatives from a hospital in Afikpo where they were receiving treatment.

The Ebubeagu operatives were said to have arrived in five Toyota Sienna vehicles in Amaebor, Ohaechara village square, and opened fire on the youths for allegedly sealing off a Lebanese-owned quarry company, Conrock.

The youths, according to a source, had assembled at the square to share a monetary gift given them by the management of Conrock for unsealing the company when the operatives arrived.

He added that the youths were also deliberating on how to approach invitations sent to them by the Afikpo Divisional Police Command and the Area Command for sealing the company.

“We were expected to appear before the Area Command and the division on Monday(today) and Tuesday before Ebubeagu people came and started shooting at us for engaging them in an argument. We told them we had reached an agreement with the company and that we had unsealed the company.

“We are at a loss as to why Ebubeagu people came and shot some of us. One of those shot died on the way to hospital while two others died while receiving treatment.”

Another youth, who corroborated the incident added that one other youth died yesterday morning.

Efforts to speak with the Amasiri Commander of Ebubeagu, Paul Amadi Agbii  and  Amaebor Youth Leader, Uka Christopher Eze, were abortive as their telephone lines were switched off.

Police spokeswoman Loveth Odah said she did not have details of the incident.

“I spoke to the DPO and he said the matter was reported to Headquarters but I am yet to get the person investigating the matter since it is weekend,” she said.

The Nation