Some unknown gunmen have reportedly attacked the Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat in Anambra State. The gunmen, according to reports had arrived in the local government headquarters in large numbers.
The gunmen invaded the premises of the local in the earlier of Friday when workers were still resuming work. The suspects had invaded the area, setting several buildings on fire. Some of the buildings set on fire are the administrative facilities, and a town hall meant for traditional rulers.
An eyewitness in the local government secretariat explained that the hoodlums had arrived in the area shooting indiscriminately into the air, which caused fear among the residents; the residents all ran to safety when the incident happened. It was reported that there was no casualty after the incident took place.
The toady attack is the second time hoodlums have attacked the local government in recent months, with the first attacking place on June 15, 2024. The attack has raised serious security concerns among the residents, and the security of the local government is now termed fragile.
One source in the local government who spoke to newsmen explained that the criminals had emerged from the bush about 5 am, chanting different songs before storming the local government, where they started shooting into the air.
He further disclosed that the criminals had trekked from their hiding place to the Atani Magistrate Court, which is close to the local government headquarters, where they started the destruction of properties.
The source noted that the hoodlums were confronted by the security personnel, who stopped them from destroying more buildings in the headquarters of the local government. It was confirmed that immediately after the criminals saw the police, they fled into the bush where they emerged from.
Speaking on other incidents in the area, the source noted that an attack on August 5 has left two young people dead; another retired police officer was beaten to death by the criminals five days ago, the source disclosed.
The Police Public Relations Officer confirmed that the Superintendent of Police, Tochukwu Ikenga, noted the incident took place in the area, but the security agencies are currently in the area to arrest the suspects.
He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command, Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, has spoken against the attack, which took place in the early hours of Friday at the Gbaru Local Government Headquarters Secretariat by the gunmen.
He noted that the security forces had made several efforts to stop the criminals from causing so many problems in the area. The PPRO noted the hoodlums destroyed some properties of the local government, but no casualty was recorded.
Ikenga noted the hoodlums had run into the bush after the police had overpowered them; he noted that the police were still in the area looking for the criminals. He noted that any further information will be made public.
