The headquarters of Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State was yesterday reportedly set on fire by gunmen. The hoodlums, who stormed the headquarters located at Ekwulobia in two vehicles at about 3pm, were said to have also shot dead two persons.
The attack came barely a week after the headquarters of Nnewi Local Government Area headquarters at Ukpo was set ablaze.
An eyewitness said,” I don’t know the reason for the attack. But I saw two persons who must have died in the attack as they were being put into a pickup van.” Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, saying police operatives as well as firefighters have been mobilised to the place.
He said, “I’m aware of the incident. We have mobilised police operatives to the place. Firefighters and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps have also moved to the place.
“We are on top of the situation and we assure you that the hoodlums will not go unpunished.”
Reacting, a resident, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Nobody should complain when Governor Soludo applies maximum force to fight criminal elements in our beloved state.
“Governor Soludo wants to restore the economy of our state and he is determined to actualise his transformation agenda for the benefit of ndi Anambra. He has shown demonstrable commitment to make peace in the circumstances, but it appears some people are taking the peaceful disposition for granted”.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo a few days ago offered amnesty to criminal elements in the state, calling on Biafra agitators to come to a roundtable for dialogue. He said, “I have also offered amnesty to all our brothers in the various forests around us. Give us your guns and trust us to help you forge a meaningful living.”
On Wednesday, the governor also appointed a 15-man Truth, Justice and Peace Committee with Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, the wife of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemaka Odumegwu Ojukwu; Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and Charly Boy as members to appease the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Other members of the committee are: Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, Dr. Udenta Udenta, Dr. Uju Agomoh, Rev. Fr (Msgnr) Jerome Madueke, Canon Dr. Okechukwu C. Obi-Okoye, Dr. John Otu, and Mr. Ngozi Odumuko, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, Dr. Joe Abah, Mr. Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Mr. Sam Egwuatu, and Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu. The committee is chaired by Odinkalu while Mrs Ojukwu serves as secretary.
Source: The Nation
