Victor EzejaAnambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has vowed to tackle the menace of bandits who disturb the peace and stability in the state by burning public properties, kidnapping and killing of innocent citizens.
The governor stated this while reacting to the Thursday afternoon attack at Aguata Local Government Area Headquarters in the state where he hails from.
Unidentified gunmen had invaded the council headquarters on Thursday and fired gun shots for about 30 minutes before moving ahead to raze down some buildings including the secretariat complex, and vehicles within the premises before escaping.
Soludo in his statement, said security forces had gone to fish out criminals in their hideouts in some parts of the state and some of them who were fleeing, went to the Aguata LGA headquarters and carried out a reprisal attack.
Recalled that prior to declaring an end to the Monday sit-at-home, the state government had offered an olive branch and urged all violent agitators to embrace peace and make themselves available for rehabilitation and empowerment.
He lamented that some of them chose to remain in the bush and continue constituting mayhem in the state.
His words, “We have extended the olive branch to all genuine agitators, and made extensive calls for those in the bush to come out and shun criminality.
“How do you explain to any sane mind that ‘responsible citizens’ have elected to pursue a supposed legitimate course adopting criminal strategies of kidnapping, arson and murder? This is despicable, not permissible and against any known law of humanity.
“Yesterday, security operatives smoked out some criminal camps at Ogboji and Aguluezechukwu, and the reprisal is the burning of Aguata LGA Headquarters by some of the fleeing criminals. Part of the items found in these criminal hideouts is a register of kidnap victims and the ransom paid. This is not who we are, never can we, under any guise allow criminals the latitiute to define who we are.”
Here is a video of the incident:
“Ndi Anambra are irrepressible. They are out to reclaim their land. To restore peace, and set the pace for the building of a liveable and prosperous homeland.
“I repeat, anyone in the bush with a gun is a criminal and would be fiercely resisted by the people,” Soludo stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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