Unknown gunmen on Saturday attacked the Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat in Anambra State, setting over four vehicles in the premises on fire.
It was gathered that the gunmen, who invaded the council headquarters secretariat early hours of Saturday in large number, set no fewer than six vehicles and patrol vehicles in the premises ablaze.
No life was lost in the attack as at the time of filing this report, but sources in the area said the hoodlums shot indiscriminately into the air thereby sending panic to residents around the area, who ran heater smelter to save their lives.
It was also gathered that the attack, has sparked renewed concerns about security in Ogbaru, with the residents saying that some days ago, two soldiers conveying oil workers to a location in the community, were ambushed and killed.
“The activities of these hoodlums have sent caused pandemonium and panic in Ogbaru, just few days ago, Army truck with five officers conveying oil production workers from Ogwu-Ikpele to Umunzarabia location, were ambushed at Amaja axis Ogwurumba Ikeke by yet-to-be-identified gunmen. Two officers were shot dead, while one was injured.”
The state Anambra State police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development, said the attack resulted in the destruction of four patrol vehicles belonging to the state vigilantes.
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has condemned the morning attack at the Ogbaru Local Government Area Headquarters Secretariat by armed arsonists.
“The attack, which resulted in the destruction of four patrol vehicles belonging to the vigilantes, has been described as an act of cowardice. Notably, there were no casualties.
“Preliminary information indicated that the assailants, arriving in large numbers on motorcycles and a vehicle, began shooting indiscriminately.
“However, they faced strong resistance from the vigilante operatives until the police response team arrived. Due to the superior firepower of the security operatives, the gunmen fled the scene.
“Unfortunately, four operational vehicles of the security operatives were engulfed in flames and severely damaged.”
In response to the incident, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations led a joint security force comprising the Army, Navy, and other security agencies to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
“Ongoing onslaught operations are being carried out to apprehend the culprits. The Commissioner of Police commends the security operatives for their bravery and assures the public of continued and strengthened collaboration in the fight against criminal elements in the State. Further developments will be communicated as they arise,” Ikenga said.
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