Arsonists raze police station in Anambra
Some arsonists razed the police division headquarters in Umuchu, a community in Aguata Local Government Area in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria.
PREMIUM TIMES learned that the gunmen stormed the establishment around 3am. Sunday and set it on fire.
Sources told this newspaper that the facility was renovated by members of the Umuchu Improvement Union after it was destroyed by angry youths during the #EndSARS protest in 2020.
Young people were protesting against police brutality and harassment across the country.
“No one was killed when they (armed men) attacked because all the police left the scene because of the station renovations,” said Sam Ejiofor, a resident of the community , at PREMIUM TIMES.
General President of the Union for the Improvement of Umuchu, Charles Ezeabasili, called the attack “disheartening and unfortunate”.
Mr. Ezeabasili told reporters that it was inappropriate that while the union had completed upgrading the facility and was awaiting the return of police personnel, the thugs attacked and set it on fire when it was set up for the good of the community.
"How are we progressing?" he said.
State police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the attack.
Mr. Ikenga, an assistant superintendent of police, said the facility was still being renovated when it was attacked by the thugs.
“The situation is under control and calm has returned to the region,” he said.
The police spokesperson said police have opened an investigation into the incident.
READ ALSO: Gunmen bomb another police station in Anambra
He urged residents of the community to provide information to the police as part of the ongoing investigation to find the attackers.
Increase in attacksAs in other states in southeastern Nigeria, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed individuals.
Attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.
Several police facilities and security agencies were attacked by armed men, who are believed to be part of the Biafran unrest in the southeast. Many others were abducted and killed by the attackers.
The Nigerian government has blamed the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied involvement in the attacks.
IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to separate from the southeast and parts of south-south Nigeria.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continuous access to the...
Some arsonists razed the police division headquarters in Umuchu, a community in Aguata Local Government Area in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria.
PREMIUM TIMES learned that the gunmen stormed the establishment around 3am. Sunday and set it on fire.
Sources told this newspaper that the facility was renovated by members of the Umuchu Improvement Union after it was destroyed by angry youths during the #EndSARS protest in 2020.
Young people were protesting against police brutality and harassment across the country.
“No one was killed when they (armed men) attacked because all the police left the scene because of the station renovations,” said Sam Ejiofor, a resident of the community , at PREMIUM TIMES.
General President of the Union for the Improvement of Umuchu, Charles Ezeabasili, called the attack “disheartening and unfortunate”.
Mr. Ezeabasili told reporters that it was inappropriate that while the union had completed upgrading the facility and was awaiting the return of police personnel, the thugs attacked and set it on fire when it was set up for the good of the community.
"How are we progressing?" he said.
State police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the attack.
Mr. Ikenga, an assistant superintendent of police, said the facility was still being renovated when it was attacked by the thugs.
“The situation is under control and calm has returned to the region,” he said.
The police spokesperson said police have opened an investigation into the incident.
READ ALSO: Gunmen bomb another police station in Anambra
He urged residents of the community to provide information to the police as part of the ongoing investigation to find the attackers.
Increase in attacksAs in other states in southeastern Nigeria, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed individuals.
Attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.
Several police facilities and security agencies were attacked by armed men, who are believed to be part of the Biafran unrest in the southeast. Many others were abducted and killed by the attackers.
The Nigerian government has blamed the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied involvement in the attacks.
IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to separate from the southeast and parts of south-south Nigeria.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continuous access to the...What's Your Reaction?
