Maduako Igbokwe l Thursday, September 30, 2021
ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Gunmen on Thursday killed driver of Chief Chris Azubogu, house member representing Nnewi North and South federal Constituency in Nnewi Anambra state. Hon. Azubogu was not in the vehicle at the time of the attack .
Ajali Police Station and several vehicles including branded campaign vehicles were also set alight by unknown gunmen. However, total number of casualties could not be ascertained as at press time but sources say several policemen were also killed.
The gunmen, we gathered stormed a funeral ceremony at Ukpo Nnewi South local government area and collected arms from security operatives at the occasion and headed to Nnewi town where they killed the lawmaker’s driver .
Meanwhile, ahead of the poll in Anambra many politicians have gone into hiding following the killings by the gunmen. Also banners, and bill boards bearing campaign massages are being pulled down while branded campaign vehicles have disappeared from the streets of Anambra state as well as vehicles bearing government plate numbers.
Also Nigerian coat of arms and flags have been removed in some public and government buildings for fear of attack. When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Tochukwu Ikenga could not pick his calls to confirm the incident.
However , there is heavy security presence in Anambra state as the police special squad commando with over thirty armoured personnel carriers have taken over major flash points at the River Niger bridge head, Upper Iweka, Nkpor, Abagana, Amawbia bye pass to the Enugu- Onitsha express way as well as Oba junction along Onitsha- Owerri express way.
Also officers and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSDC have been deployed to their respective duty posts.
Public Relations Officer of the command Mr Okadigbo Damian said that the state commandant Mr. Everestus Chimezie Obiayo has ordered the Head of Operations, Department of Intelligence and Investigations Department and Rapid Response Squad to coordinate security deployments and ensure that officers operated within the context of the law.
He noted that the essence was to ensure public Order and avert further occurrence. We gathered from a reliable source that in the next few days , the state will be militarized.
