BREAKING: Gunmen Strike Again, Burn Anambra’s Ogbaru Local Government Secretariat In Second Attack Within 3 Months

Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that a large group of gunmen attacked and burnt down the secretariat of Ogbaru Local Government in the state. 

According to reports, the assailants, who attacked the local government secretariat in the early hours of Friday, set several buildings ablaze, including a town hall designated for traditional rulers and various administrative facilities.

The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters on Friday, saying, “Attack on ogbaru Local Government Area in the early hours of today 30/8/2024: the security operatives' gallantry resisted the gunmen, some LGA properties were destroyed, some buildings were affected and no life was lost as joint security operation is still ongoing.”

Though no casualties have been reported so far, witnesses told The PUNCH the attackers fired indiscriminately into the air, causing widespread panic among residents. 

One witness said, “Around 5 am, about 30 gunmen emerged from the bushes, chanting as they stormed the local government secretariat and fired shots into the air.

“They moved from their hideouts to the nearby Atani Magistrate Court and began setting buildings within the council premises on fire, including the main secretariat and the traditional rulers’ structures. 

“They were in the process of igniting additional buildings when security forces arrived and fired back, causing the attackers to retreat into the bushes.”

According to the witness, “Just yesterday, a security guard named CY died from bullet wounds sustained during a gun battle in the Amiyi community on August 27, 2024. 

“On August 5, two young men were killed by the gunmen, and five days ago, a retired policeman was beaten to death by the same group.”

On June 15, 2024, SaharaReporters reported that gunmen suspected to be arsonists attacked the same Ogbaru Local Government Area headquarters and set four security vehicles ablaze.

The arsonists arrived at the local government headquarters on motorcycles.

https://saharareporters.com/2024/06/15/gunmen-attack-anambra-local-government-headquarters-set-ablaze-several-security-vehicles