Gunmen in large numbers attacked the Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat in Anambra State on Friday, setting buildings ablaze, including a town hall and administrative facilities.
This is the second attack on the Local Government Area in two months, following a similar incident on June 15, 2024.
Eyewitnesses reported that the hoodlums shot indiscriminately into the air, causing panic among residents. Although no casualties were recorded, the attack has raised concerns about security in Ogbaru.
According to The PUNCH, a source in the area described the attack: “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. 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 source added, “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.”
Anambra State Police Spokesman, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident and stated that a joint security operation is ongoing.
Ikenga said, “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 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.”
