CP Chris Owolabi, Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, has said that attack at both B Division headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Anambra State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by hoodlums was unsuccessful.
Owolabi who disclosed this in a press briefing at the INEC headquarters in Awka on Monday recalled that at about 8.20pm on Sunday, 23rd May, 2021, hoodlums operating in three Hilux vehicles carried out coordinated and simultaneous attacks at both B’ Division headquarters and State INEC office Awka.
According to him, the hoodlums had attacked the Police Division as a decoy, then proceeded to nearby INEC office where they attempted to set ablaze the main headquarters building.
“They were successfully repelled by the police and other security agencies who quickly mobilized to the scene forcing them to scamper for safety with many sustaining gunshot wounds as revealed by blood trails in the surrounding bushes”, he said.
He revealed that seven (7) INEC vehicles and part of the store building were torched from an improvised explosive device (IED) thrown into the premises which, he said, was promptly extinguished by firefighters.
“At B’ Division police station, an explosive ordinance lobbed into the station partially torched the charge room but was quickly put off as the assailants were also repelled without recording any police casualty”, Owolabi further said.
The CP informed that the Deputy Inspector-General of Police South East, DIG Joseph Egbunike, the Commissioner of Police, CP Chris Owolabi and other senior officers visited the scenes for on the spot assessment adding that exhibits recovered include six pump action guns, one AK 47 and one type 06 Rifle each, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), 50 cartridges, charms, expended ammunition, police berrets and boots, public address system, tricycle and three Hilux vehicles.
He stated that efforts were ongoing to arrest fleeing suspects even as he assured members of the public of their safety and encouraged them to report any person seen with bullet wounds through police emergency number 07039194332 or to the nearest Police Station for prompt action.
Photo 1: Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Chris Owolabi addressing journalists during the press briefing at INEC headquarters in Awka on Monday.
Photo 2 & 3: Recovered exhibits from the hoodlums who attacked B Division headquarters and INEC office at Awka on Sunday.
