The Anambra Police Command on Monday said part of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Awka, the Anambra State capital, was burnt during Sunday night attack by armed hoodlums.
Chris Owolabi, Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, said during a news conference at the INEC headquarters that the hoodlums had initially attacked the nearby B Division where they were fiercely resisted but managed to set charge room on fire with Improvised Explosive Device.
The CP said three vehicles used by the hoodlums for the attack were demolished and recovered, as well as nine rifles, ammunition and other items.
Owolabi, who applauded the gallantry of his men, said the police resistance was about 98 percent successful with no loss of single personnel as wrongly reported in some sections of the media.
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The CP refused to divulge the number of hoodlums that were killed or arrested but said investigations were still on and that in due course he would inform the public.
“I want to thank God this morning that INEC building is still standing, to the glory of God and the vigilance of our men. Some people had reported that it was a Black Sunday in Awka.
“At about 8:pm last night, I got a call that B-division was under attack by armed hoodlums, there was a lot of gunfire and disturbances of public peace, but my men in B division defended themselves very strongly.
“An IED was thrown into the charge room and set the place on fire. We all know it was a decoy to attack INEC office, so we proceeded to INEC where we engaged the hoodlums.
“The three vehicles they came with were demobilised and recovered, that made them scamper for safety. We recovered about six pump actions, one G2 rifle and one AK47.
“Investigations are still ongoing because developments are changing, so I can’t tell you specifically the number of persons that were lost, we are still searching hospitals and town and we are indeed recovering.
“I can tell you that there was no casualty on the part of the police. It was a 98 percent success for us, just that we lost a building and four vehicles in INEC here and our charge room in B division,” he said.
Owolabi said the police alongside other security agencies were working hard and had already recovered the public space while urging residents to go about their lawful businesses.
“We are working with our sister agencies, Army, Navy, DSS, and as you would have noticed, we have been having joint patrols in cities of Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ituocha and other places,” he said.
