Following the incessant attacks and spate of arsons being carried out by hoodlums/unknown gunmen on government installations and properties across the South East zone of the country, security agents in the zone have been advised to intensify efforts to stem the tide and probably bring the perpetrators to book.
The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion at its recent 3rd Synod meeting at Umuahia, Abia State called on government and security agencies in Nigeria to live up to their responsibilities, go after the criminals and hoodlums parading themselves as members of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) within and around the country.
The synod noted that IPOB has constantly denied being involved in attacks and killings in the southern part of Nigeria which it said was the truth.
The synod noted that in the recent past in Ohafia, Abia State, the Divisional Police station was burnt down by hoodlums/unknown gunmen who equally carted away riffles, ammunition, and other valuables and wounded some policemen who were on duty when the incident occurred.
It recalled that it was the benevolence of a citizen in the area which saw the station rebuilt.
The synod recalled some incidents that had taken place in recent times, warning however, that innocent persons must not be punished for other’s sins.
In the first quarter of 2023, a soldier attached to 14 Brigards, Goodluck Jonathan Barracks Ohafia was said to have been missing at a point in a village in Ohafia while returning from his annual leave.
When the information got to the soldiers in the Barracks, they went on rampage and sacked the entire village as many abandoned the village and scampered for their dear lives in neighbouring villages as some of the buildings in the area were reportedly burnt down by the irate soldiers.
Recently, four policemen were killed at Ndiegoro area of the state.
The police in the state went on manhunt and apprehended two of the suspected killers while others are still on the run.
Instances of activities of unknown gunmen dot all parts of the Eastern Nigeria (South-East). Some youths are now leaving in fear of possible arrest as suspects.
Also in Ngor Okpuala, Imo State recently, five policemen were shot dead by Unknown Gunmen who stormed a restaurant in the area where the police officers were eating.
On May 18, 2023, in the same Ngor Okpuala, two police officers were also shot dead at a check point.
In Abakaliki Ebonyi state, May 22, 2023, an inspector of police was also killed by unknown gunmen who opened fire on policemen who were on duty at a checkpoint, a short distance from the Nigeria Police Headquarters Abakaliki.
Several others who were with the deceased on duty also sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
In Anamabra State, the Police Commissioner Echeng E. Echeng recesently announced that the state police security team had arrested two persons in connection with the attacks and killing of the Lagos Consulate of the United States and their police escorts at Osuamala road in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
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The Anambra Commissioner of Police while briefing journalists in Awka, the state command headquarters, said a troop of Nigeria Army as well as Nigeria Navy raided a place in Ugwuaneche, Ogbaru LGA which was suspected to be a hideout of the hoodlums and discovered that it had been deserted, but two persons were arrested and are now helping in their investigation.
Instances of insecurity dot the whole of the entire eastern states except Abia State where cases of such incidents are relatively low.
Security agents are now intensifying efforts in the zone to stem the spate of arson, killings robberies and kidnappings across the entire South East zone.
