BY SUNNY DAVID
Anambra state police command said it has mounted searchlight on hospitals and remote areas to arrest the hoodlums who launched attacks on the state headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and B’ Division of Police in Awka.
Unknown gunmen loaded in three Hilux trucks had on Sunday night launched attacks on Police B Division and INEC headquarters, both in Awka, the state capital, leading to destruction of some police and INEC properties.
The state Police commissioner, Mr. Chris Owolabi, in a press conference at the INEC headquarters, said there was no casaulty on the side of the force because they had a defensive counter attack with the hoodlums and recorded 95 percent success, as well as recovered some arms and ammunitions from them.
“I got a call around 8.15am that my B’ division was under attack by armed hoodlums, and there were lots of firing of guns and disturbance of public peace. My men there defended themselves and resisted the hoodlums very strongly. We all know it’s a decoy to attack INEC.
“So we proceeded to the office where we were able to engage the hoodlums and demobilized the three vehicles they came with which made them scamper for safety.
“We recovered quite a lot firearms, including 6 pump actions, one type 06 rifle and one AK47 rifle, police baret, one explosive IED and charms.
Investigations are still ongoing because it seems the developments are changing so I can’t tell you specifically how many casualties. We’re still searching hospitals and remote places to recover them.
“But I can guarantee you specifically that there’s no casualty on the part of the police. It was a 95 percent success for us because of the buildings and vehicles that were affected both in INEC and our charge rooms in B-division.
“We’re working with all the forces, army, navy, civil defence, DSS and others including joint patrol. We’re back in the street reclaiming the public space,” he stated.
CP Owolabi, while reassuring Anambra resident of safety and urged them to remain law abiding as they go about their normal businesses and to keep security agencies abreast of development around their areas.
Also speaking, INEC Resident Electoral Commission, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, noted that six of their office vehicles, collation center and part of INEC store were affected in the incident.
“The damage is not substantial because the police were able to contain them. The areas affected was the open space we use for our collation center and part of our store. About 6 vehicles were affected. But we’re still accessing the damage,” he said.
