The Oba Police Divisional Headquarters and the Oba Civic Centre in Idemili South Local Government Area were attacked by gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday. The assailants, armed with explosives, targeted the police facility and the civic centre, leading to significant damage and casualties.
According to reports, the attackers, who were numerous, threw explosives and petrol bombs at the police station, setting some offices and the civic centre on fire. A police corporal was killed in the attack, and several others sustained injuries. The motive behind the assault remains unclear, though it is suspected that the attackers may be affiliated with a secessionist group.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, stating that the gunmen fired sporadically and threw petrol bombs, which caused fires at the police facility and the civic centre. The fires were eventually extinguished with the assistance of other police officers and a joint security force that includes the Army, Navy, and Civil Defence.
SP Ikenga said, “The Police-led Joint Security Force comprising of the Army, Navy, Civil Defence, and other security agencies are currently conducting an operation in Oba and its surrounding areas. The suspected armed secessionists’ group began shooting sporadically and threw petrol bombs at the security facility, causing fires in some offices and at the Oba Civic Centre. A police corporal was fatally wounded in the incident.”
The Commissioner of Police for Anambra State, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on the nation’s security and vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
The situation is still under active investigation as authorities work to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
