The Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat in Anambra State was attacked by a group of gunmen who are rumoured to be numerous.
It was reported that the thugs burned down many administrative buildings including a town hall intended for traditional rulers when they broke into the LGA secretariat early on Friday.
Since a similar incident was carried out on June 15, 2024, gunmen have attacked the Ogbaru LGA twice in the last two months. Sources in the vicinity who saw the Friday event said that the thugs fired randomly into the air, frightening the locals even though there were currently no casualties reported.
The residents of Ogbaru claim that a security guard was shot and died a few days ago as a result of the gunmen’s attack, which has raised new worries about security in the area.
A local source stated that approximately thirty gunmen, firing into the air as they invaded the local government headquarters, shouted songs as they emerged from the bush at around five in the morning. After making their way from their hiding places to the Atani Magistrate Court, which is close to the council, they began setting fire to several of the council’s facilities, including the main secretariat and the residences of the traditional rulers.
“The hoodlums were going to set fire to several additional buildings before security personnel arrived and opened fire on them. When the cops arrived, they fled into the bushes.
“To be honest, a lot is going on, and the security situation in the neighbourhood is deteriorating, and no one wants to speak up for fear of repercussions. Just yesterday, a security guard named CY died as a consequence of a bullet wound sustained during a gun battle with attackers at the Amiyi neighbourhood 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.”When reached, Anambra state police spokesman, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, verified the occurrence and stated that a joint security operation is currently underway in the area.
Ikenga stated, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, has condemned the gunmen’s morning attack on the Ogbaru Local Government Headquarters Secretariat.”
“The security personnel bravely withstood the gunmen’s attack on Ogbaru LGA in the early hours of today, August 30. other LGA properties were destroyed, and other buildings were damaged, but no one was killed.
“The hoodlums fled the scene due to the superior firepower of security personnel.”
Currently, the coordinated security operation is still ongoing. Please communicate any further developments.
Recall that on June 15, 2024, the same Ogbaru LG was attacked by unidentified gunmen who arrived in huge numbers on motorbikes and opened fire without remorse. The police called the attack, which resulted in the destruction of four vigilante patrol vehicles, cowardly.
Bottom Line
The burning of administrative buildings, including those intended for traditional rulers, disrupts local governance and instills fear among residents. This not only hampers the functioning of the local government but also undermines the authority and safety of traditional institutions.
While there were no casualties reported in the latest attack, the death of a security guard and other violent incidents in recent weeks have heightened fears among residents. The murder of a retired policeman and the shooting of young men point to a broader issue of targeted violence and insecurity.
