Gunmen attack, raze Nnewi South LG  headquarters, kill security man

By Pamela Eboh Awka

Nnewi South Local Government Area headquaters was in the wee hours of Thursday morning, reportedly attacked by hoodlums suspected to be Unknown Gunmen.

According to a reliable source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the gunmen broke into the Local Government Headquarter located at Ukpor around 1am and launched a attack.

It was gathered that the gunmen, in the course of the attack, set some buildings and offices situated in the Headquarters ablaze.

According to the source, the gunmen also killed a security guard who was on night duty there, before they fled.

He said, “The gunmen’s invasion of the Local Government Headquarters may have been orchestrated by the presence of soldiers that have been patrolling in the community and other neighbouring communities for some days now. They do retire to the headquarters at night, probably to rest for the night or secure it.

“The soldiers started patrolling in the community since after they invaded the hideout of the Unknown Gunmen in Orsumoghu, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state, a neighbouring community with Ukpor in Nnewi.

Recall that troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, on Monday, successfully attacked and sacked Unknown Gunmen from their hideout situated in Orsumoghu, and during which they recovered assorted charms, guns, coffin, phones, computers, matchets and a Hilux van.

Before the invasion, the gunmen had been terrorizing the area and communities in Nnewi South, where they recently went from house to house to attack and disarm security men.

When contacted, the Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi South Local Government Area, Engr. Chieloka Okoye simply confirmed the attack, but could not give detailed explanation at the moment, as many calls were coming into his phone.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said he has been informed of the attack, but stressed that the information was still sketchy.

“I don’t have full information about the incident now, but I am aware there was a reported case of arson in Nnewi South early this morning. The information is still sketchy.

“Our operatives are currently there. The fire service has also been contacted. So, they have condoned off the area, and operation is still ongoing, to ensure that the fire does not escalate to other buildings. This is all I can tell you for now. If there is further details, I’ll also communicate that to you”, he said.