The movement of vehicles and passengers along the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway has been halted following heavy shootings at the Ezilo axis of the highway by suspected gunmen.

As of the time of filing this report, it was not immediately clear those responsible for the shootings.

The PUNCH reports that two persons were killed in a renewed boundary dispute between Eziulo community and its neighbouring Iyionu community, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Equally, it could not be immediately established if the shooting is connected with the dispute.

A passenger from Enugu, who was billed for Abakaliki, Afam Cyprian, said travellers have been stranded at Okpoto for about one hour.

He said military patrol vans were patrolling the highway but have told them not to advance.

“Many people are looking for another route to take. Some have gone back to take Afikpo road. I am looking for a way to go back to Abakaliki,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs Loveth Odah, confirmed the shootings.

Odah said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Aliyu Garba, had dispatched police patrol teams to restore peace and open up the road for users.

She, however, said the shooting cannot be related to the boundary dispute as the disputed area is not close to the highway

Governor David Umahi had on Tuesday, confirmed the killing of two persons in the dispute after a Security Council meeting at the old Government House in Abakaliki.