Killings, arson in Anambra, Imo

• Published date: 13 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Council secretariat, vehicles razed

Five persons were killed in a bomb attack at the secretariat of the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The attacked happened around 1am yesterday.

It was gathered that the gunmen engaged the local vigilance members securing the secretariat in a gun duel.

A community source said four of the vigilance men and one of the hoodlums died in the shoot-out. He added that the hoodlums proceeded to unleash mayhem on other facilities.

He said: 'They set fire on many of the buildings in the secretariat, including the administrative block, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Health office building, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Office, Education Office and National Civil Defense Office.

'The gunmen came from Imo State near the border from Orlu. Unfortunately, security men arrived shortly after they left.'

Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the attack. He said one of the hoodlums and four vigilance operatives on duty were killed, with another one beheaded.

Ikenga added that five buildings were set ablaze with IED and petrol bombs, with bodies of the victims recovered, while joint operation is ongoing.

'Following the police/military operations ongoing in Ihaila and its neighboring town, the Operatives responding to a distress call about 2:55am today January 1, 2023, of an attack on Ihiala Local Government headquarters, our men neutralised one of the attackers, recovered two locally-made IED launcher, seven undetonated IED, 40 live cartridges, 15...