In a shocking escalation of violence, suspected secessionist gunmen attacked and bombed the Oba Police Divisional Headquarters in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, on Tuesday. The assault, which also targeted the nearby Oba Civic Centre, resulted in the death of a police corporal and injuries to several others.
The attack appears to be timed with a recent declaration by secessionist leader Simon Ekpa, who called for a month-long campaign of hostility against government institutions in the South-East, beginning August 28, 2024. The exact motives behind Tuesday’s violence remain unclear, though the timing suggests a coordinated effort in line with Ekpa’s call.
Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the details of the attack in a statement, noting that the assailants used firearms and petrol bombs, setting fire to various parts of the police facility and the civic centre.
“The Police-led Joint Security Force, comprising the Army, Navy, Civil Defence, and other agencies, is currently engaged in a comprehensive operation in Oba and surrounding areas,”
Ikenga said. “The assailants engaged in sporadic gunfire and bombings in an attempt to breach the Police Station, resulting in significant damage and casualties.”
The statement elaborated: “In the early hours of today, September 3, 2024, the suspected secessionists launched an attack on the Oba Police Divisional Headquarters and the Oba Civic Center. The armed group aimed to force entry into the Police Station while simultaneously throwing petrol bombs, which ignited fires in several offices and the Civic Center.”
The assault tragically claimed the life of a police corporal who succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack. Firefighting efforts, supported by the Joint Security Force, managed to bring the blaze under control.
In response, Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Obono Itam condemned the violence, labeling it an attack on the nation’s core values. “This invasion and hostility towards our security personnel is an affront to the soul of our nation,” he asserted. “We are committed to bringing those responsible for this egregious act to justice.”
The Nigerian security forces are intensifying their operations in the region, as tensions continue to rise amid the secessionist unrest.
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