By Cajetan Mmuta
Hundreds of residents of Omor Community in Ayamelum local government area of Anambra state have deserted their homes amid tension and anxiety as unknown reportedly killed six soldiers in the area.
Already, fear has gripped indigenes of the community over possible reprisal attack by soldiers.
Indications were ripe on Thursday that suspected unknown gunmen had gone on rampage in remote areas in some local government areas of the state.
It would be recalled that a similar incident had occured at two separate Police formations; the Mobile 16 force command of the Nigeria Police and Area Command headquarters of the force at Oraifite in Ekwusigo local government area where it was reported that six policemen were shot dead when done armed men swooped on the area in the wee hours of the day.
The gunmen had after killing the policemen, also took away their guns.
Sadly, the police high command appeared to be silent on the sad incident as they are yet to respond to several calls and sms to the force.
Over 100, 000 security personnel which include the police, army, navy, DSS, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) as well as others have been deployed to Anambra state for the conduct of the November 6, 2021 Governorship election in the state.
Unfortunately, the two sad attacks on security outfits came a day 17 out the 18 chairmen of the registered political parties and their candidates appended their signatures before the chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abibakar (rtd), in order to allow rein before, during and after the poll.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Baba Usman Alkali thought the state commissioner of police Mr. Echeng Echeng during the stakeholders meeting in Awka the state capital told the gathering the security had been deployed across the 21 local government areas of the state and that camps of trouble makers had been identified and are being monitored for action.
However, investigations revelqed that the attack on the soldiers leading to their sudden death had enraged their colleagues.
It was gathered that soldiers went on rampage in Omor community over the demise of the six.
ThisNigeria gathered that the gunmen had stormed a military checkpoint at Omor and shot sporadically at eight during which six of them died while two other sustained gunshot wounds.
Source close to the community said, “As I speak to you, soldier have cordoned off my community, Omo, and, carrying out house-to-house search to find those who killed their colleagues.”
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“As the situation is now, I don’t think any voter will come out to vote in my community during the governorship election on Saturday because soldiers invaded us, and, everyone is running away”, the source said.
The Zone 13 Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), Ukpo, Dunukofia local government area of the state, DSP Nkeiruka Nwode could not be reached for comment on the incident.
But the Force Public Relations Officer who is in Awka the Anambra State capital with IGP Baba Usman Alkali told this paper on phone on Thursday evening that he has no details of the incident.
He also promised to get back to our Correspondent should get details of the attacks on both the police and soldiers.
