No fewer than six persons, including three policemen, lost their lives, while several others were wounded in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria, after hoodlums took advantage of the EndSARS protests to unleash mayhem across the state.
The hoodlums also destroyed 12 police Divisions, a courthouse and the monument of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, a foremost nationalist and leader of Nigeria’s independence struggle.
SP Haruna Mohammed, Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, said: “One police officer was beheaded and burnt to ashes while three others sustained various degrees of injuries.
“The injured police officers were rushed to the hospital for medical attention and they are responding to treatment.
“Five persons (civilians) were attacked in Onitsha and taken to the hospital for medical attention where three have been confirmed dead by the medical doctor while two others are receiving treatment.
“DPO Osumeyi Division and two others were fatally wounded during the attack. The injured police officers were rushed to the hospital for medical attention after which the DPO and the Station officer Osumeyi were confirmed dead by the medical doctor.
“The other police constable is responding to treatment,” Mohammed said, adding that the three civilians who died were victims of two different attacks.
He, however, said some members of the public, including youths and vigilantes, helped in foiling attempts of the hoodlums in some places.
Mohammed named the places attacked as Nnamdo Azikiwe statue at DMGS Roundabout, Onitsha, and the State High Court complex in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, both of which were burnt.
Others were Police Area Commands in Nnewi and Oraifite; Central Police Station, Nnewi; Nnewi Police Division; 3-3 Police Station; Ogbunike/ Isiuwulu, Nnobi; and Ichi Police Division.
Amichi, Osumenyi, Ezinifite and Ukpor Divisions all in Nnewi South Local Government Area, as well as Oraifite Division, were also burnt, Mohammed explained.
He said the hoodlums also made attempts to attack other divisions, including Central Police Station and Area Command, Onitsha Awada, Inland Town and B ‘Divisions but were repelled.
Mohammed said the hoodlums destroyed exhibits during the attacks but could not steal ammunition as they were prevented from accessing the armoury.
He said that some arrests had been made.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, some hoodlums attempted to break into the Anambra COVID-19 warehouse at the Agu-Awka but were repelled by a combined team of soldiers and police personnel.
Normalcy has returned to the streets of Awka, the state capital, with businesses open and vehicles moving freely.
The Governor, Mr Willie Obiano, on Thursday, October 22, imposed a 24-hour curfew to reduce tension in the state.
He ordered that schools and markets be shut in the meantime.
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