Unknown gunmen have attacked the Ogbaru Local Government secretariat in Anambra State.
It was gathered that the hoodlums said to be in large numbers, invaded the LGA secretariat in the early hours of Friday, August 30, 2024, set ablaze a vehicle, buildings, including a town hall meant for traditional rulers and some administrative facilities at the premises.
Although there were no casualties recorded at the moment, sources in the area who witnessed the Friday incident, said the hoodlums shot indiscriminately into the air thereby sending panic to residents.
“Gunmen numbering about 30 who emerged from the bush at about 5 am, chanted songs as they stormed the local government secretariat, shooting into the air,” the source said.
“They trekked from their hideouts and got to Atani Magistrate Court located near the council and started setting some buildings within the council ablaze, including the main secretariat and traditional rulers’ buildings
“The hoodlums were about to set some other buildings ablaze before the arrival of security operatives who opened fire against them. The arrival of the police officers made them flee back into the bushes
““Sincerely speaking a lot is happening and the security situation in the area is getting worse and nobody cares to speak up because of fear. Just yesterday a security man known as CY died as a result of the bullet wound he sustained during a gun battle with the gunmen at the Amiyi community on 27-8-2024.
“On August 5, two young men were shot dead by the hoodlums and five days ago, a retired policeman was beaten to death by the same criminal gang.”
The spokesman of the State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, adding that a joint security operation is still going on in the area.
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra state Police Command, Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, has condemned the morning attack at the Ogbaru Local Government Headquarters Secretariat by the gunmen,’ the PPRO said.
“The security operatives gallantly resisted the attack of the gunmen on Ogbaru LGA in the early hours of today, August 30. Some LGA properties were destroyed, and some buildings were also affected, but no life was lost.
“The hoodlums fled the scene due to the superior firepower of security operatives. At the moment, the joint security operation is still ongoing. Further development shall be communicated, please.”
