Man Gunned Down, Many Injured as Protesting Aguleri Youths Attack Otuocha Police Divisional Headquarters

By our Reporter

A middle aged man identified simply as Konja was allegedly shot dead on Saturday by police operatives from the Otuocha Divisional Headquarters, of the Anambra State Police Command.

AnambraDaily gathered that about 20 other youths from Aguleri sustained various degrees of bullet wounds during the bloody clash with police operatives. It was equally gathered that scores of suspects behind the attack had been arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigative Department (CID), Awka.

The deceased, whose identity is yet to be fully verified, according to a source, hailed from Umudisi family of Okpu in Ivite Aguleri.

According to an unofficial account of the incident from a police officer, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, things took a bloody turn when youths from Aguleri mobilized themselves to attack the Divisional Police Station at Otuocha.

“They threatened to set the station ablaze and police officers on ground tried to stop them, the clash later escalated, leaving some police personnel injured”, he claimed.

According to the police officer, Aguleri youths were angry because of the formation of a joint task force in Anambra East local government Area to checkmate raising criminal activities in the area.

“Ritual killings have increased and some of these things are committed in the night, thus the formation of joint task force to checkmate it”, he said stressing that the protesters were against it.

The youths gave a different account of what transpired and accused the police of opening fire on unarmed peaceful protesters.

“Aguleri youths were just holding a peaceful protest over incessant arrests, intimidation and extortion by police when police opened fire on us, killing one and wounding up to 20 others”, one of the protesters said.

The Chairman, Aguleri security commitee, Mr Anthony Orekyeh, however, condoled with the deceased family and the entire Indigenes of Aguleri over the death and pledged that the traditional ruler of Aguleri, HRM Eze Dr Mike Idigo would collaborate with all the relevant agencies to restore peace and order in Aguleri.

When contacted, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu confirmed the fracas but stressed that the situation has been brought under control.

Ikenga, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) officer, further told AnambraDaily that prompt intervention of the police authority in the state prevented the youths from setting the Otuocha police facilities ablaze.

“On the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operation led police operatives to the scene and prevented the youths from attacking the police station.

“We have made some arrests and recovered some dangerous weapons”, he disclosed adding that efforts geared towards resolving the conflict has been put in motion with a view “to hear from the aggrieved youths.”

The Anambra police Spokesman further assured that normalcy has been restored in the area. “We have also intensify patrols in the area, aimed at enhancing peace and safety.