Gunmen Invade Anambra LGA, Cart Away Legislative Mace

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Monday, March 31st, 2014

Ignatius Okpara

The entire Ojoto, headquarters of Idemili South local government area of Anambra state was thrown into pandemonium Monday, as over twenty heavily armed hoodlums invaded the secretariat and made away with the mace, the symbol of authority of the legislative arm of the council.

A staff of the council, who do not want his name in print, told our correspondent that the gunmen invaded the local government secretariat in a Hilux Van with Siren.

The vehicle according to the source, which arrived the council at about 3pm, had no plate number, adding that “immediately they gained entrance into the premises, the hoodlums rushed to the legislative chambers where the mace was positioned and grabbed it and left.

He said “when the lawmakers in session tried to resist them, they shot indiscriminately into the air to scare people before escaping with the mace unchallenged.

However, African Examiner gathered that four of the attackers came into the council chambers, while about 16 of them were outside shooting sporadically.

However, workers of the council area who scamper for safety have called on the state Commissioner of Police [CP] to carry out a full-scale investigation into the incident.

The workers said their lives are now in danger, appealing to the state police boss to take the issue very seriously.

African Examiner reports that the shoot-out and alleged stealing of the mace, may not be unconnected with the impeachment of the Speaker of the Legislative arm of the council area, Hon. Amaka Obidigbo from Awka Etiti ward last week wednesday.

Majority Leader Marcel Ezeugo representing Nnobi ward 3 took over after a vote of no confidence was passed on the speaker, Obidigbo, which was supported by 9 members out of 11.

When contacted, the state police public Relations Officer PPRO, Emeka Chukwuemeka, said he was yet to be briefed, as at the time of filling this report, just as efforts to reach the Ojoto Divisional police officer was unsuccessful.

Some of the council lawmakers who spoke on the ugly development also said their lives are in danger, stressing that they are no longer safe to attend to their legislative duties and appealed to state commissioner of police , Usman Gwary to provide security for them and investigate the mayhem.

Effort to also reach the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftain Affairs , Lady Azuka Enemuo who is also from the local government area hit the rock, as she was said to be away for an official assignment outside the state.