Ibe Pascal Arogorn, Onitsha
Tensions continue to rise at Enamel junction along Onitsha-Owerri as naval officers block and obstruct traffics at one lanes of the federal high way over fear of another possible attack by the unknown gunmen.
Crimefacts.news had reported how unknown gunmen attacked different security formation and killed many personnel in Anambra state in recent times.
According to Vanguard, Since December 2020, no fewer than seven police stations have been set ablaze while 34 security personnel were killed by gunmen in the wave of attacks on security men in the South-East.
At the moment, security agents in the area are living in palpable fear, as they are prone to attack at police stations, checkpoints and other duty posts.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, and hoodlums are suspected to be behind the attacks that have left police, navy and army personnel dead.
A clash between IPoB members and security agencies in Anambra State last year, which resulted in casualties on both sides, was gathered to be the remote cause of the latest killings.
According to a police source, the raiding of Eastern Nigeria Security Network, ESN, enclave in Orlu and a subsequent one in Ihiala this year, could be described as what may have aggravated the assaults on police formations in the region.
ANAMBRA: 10 security operatives dead, stations attacked
There is tension among security operatives in Anambra following the recent attacks, which left no fewer than 10 of them dead.
After the #EndSARS protests during which five police stations were burnt in parts of the state, normalcy returned and the security operatives resumed work at their duty posts.
But surprisingly, unknown gunmen attacked a checkpoint at Nkpologwu in Aguata Local Government Area,LGA, and Omogho in Orumba North LGA, killing four policemen. They took away their rifles and set their patrol van ablaze. The gunmen drove in a salon car and a black Mercedes Benz 4Matic SUV.
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Monday Kuryas, ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A senior police officer in the local government who confirmed the killing said: “Honestly, it was a black Wednesday in Anambra. I don’t know what those boys want to gain from this act.
The next place the gunmen attacked was a police checkpoint at Neni in Anaocha local government area where they killed three policemen.
NAVY
On the same day, they attacked a naval checkpoint at Awkuzu in Oyi LGA. Three naval ratings lost their lives.
Gunmen again attacked Ekwulobia Police Station in Aguata LGA and killed another policeman and two officials of Nigeria Correctional Service, NCS.
They also attempted to burn down the police but were stopped by policemen at the station.
Later, they attacked a bus conveying prison inmates to the court and killed two officials of NCS.
Recall that Ekwulobia Police station was among those that were completely razed during the #EndSARS protest and was only rebuilt recently.
After the Ekwulobia attack, gunmen again attempted to burn down a police station in Awka North LGA but were repelled by policemen.
The identity of the attackers is yet to be known, but one noticeable thing since the resurgence of the assaults in the state is the disappearance of policemen on the roads, apparently out of fear of further attacks.
These developments forced Governor Willie Obiano to make a statewide broadcast, warning that enough was enough.
HOW ONITSHA-OWERRI NAVAL CHECK POINT WAS ATTACKED
The attack by gunmen on naval check point along Onitsha-Owerri road has continued to cause panic among the residents of the area as vehicular movements were almost restricted on the federal high way.
A source who spoke to Crimefacts.news said the attack by gunmen happened one month ago on a Sunday night.
“At about 11pm in the night, unidentified hefty men in their numbers arrived the naval check point in a Siena car as they shot and killed one naval officer. They also carted away one machine gun and an AK-47 rifle while other naval officers flee, “the source revealed.
3 WEEK AFTER THE ATTACK
On Wednesday 24 March (Last Week), Crimefacts.news learnt that new Naval officers in arrived at the Onitsha-Owerri check point and began to shoot indiscriminately in the air.
Crimefacts.news also gathered that the naval officers chased away roadside businessmen and women who are close to the check point.
INTIMIDATION, VICTIMIZATION, EXTORTION BY NAVAL OFFICERS ON PEDESTRIANS
A resident living close to the naval check point who spoke to Crimefacts.news on condition of anonymity said that since the new naval officers arrived last week, sleep hasn’t cross their path as the officer always shoot indiscriminately over fear of another possible attack by the unknown gunmen.
The resident lamented how the new naval officers brutalizes passers-by using forced labour.
Another resident recounted to Crimefacts.news how the officers forced him to pack dustbins.
He said, ” I was on my way to work on Tuesday when the those naval officers at the Onitsha-Owerri stopped me and forced to me pack dustbins on the surroundings.
Crimefacts.news gathered that pedestrians were ordered to raise their hands up while passing in the area.
NAVAL OFFICERS LIVING IN FEAR
A thorough investigation by Crimefacts.news shows that the new naval officers are living in fears of another possible attack. Perhaps it could the reason for always shooting sporadically In the air at any slightest sight.
