Orji hailed from Nneogidi village, Agulu in Anaocha local government area of the state. It was not clear what took him to Azia which is considered one of the most part of the state as the area has become a den of the dreaded gunmen.

Orji’s secondary school mate, Leonard Edu, while lamenting the death of the Army officer said he was his senior at Agulu Boys Secondary School.

“He was our labour prefect then. It is true that he was killed by unknown gunmen at Azia, although we are yet to have the details of what led to his death”, Edu said.

Since his death, Orji’s friends have also been reacting in the social media. In a tribute, one of them said: “Rest in peace my brother from Nneogidi village, Agulu, Major Churchil Orji killed yesterday( Sunday) at Azia/Ukpor while defending the South-East from the marauders.”

It is important to note that gunmen have been terrorising some parts of the southeast region of the country since last year.