KINGSLEY EBERE
There is palpable tension in Umuchu town, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, following two coordinated attacks by unknown gunmen, which led to the burning of three security vehicles almost within one week.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that on 26th November, 2024, the unknown gunmen attacked Umuchu security men with their patrol vehicle along Umuchu /Uga Road, which led to exchange of gun fire between the vigilante and the gunmen for several minutes.
At the end, one of the security men was seriously injured and rushed to the hospital while the security vehicle was badly damaged with bullets and burnt in the process.
While the security men were still recovering from the attack, precisely on 5th December, 2024, the unknown gunmen were again on rampage on the same Umuchu Road using an ash coloured Toyota Highlander and a black Toyota Prado SUV.
The gunmen boldly came down and started exchanging gun fire with the security men and burnt another two security vehicles belonging to the Umuchu vigilante, making it three within almost a week.
During the fierce gun battle, one of the Vigilante men was said to have sustained bullet injury and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. However, the local vigilante fought back, which led to the unknown gunmen abandoning one of their Toyota Hilux operational vehicle and escaped because one of the security men fired and deflated the tyre.
The indigenes have expressed concern over the recent attacks on the AVG Special Squad in Umuchu by unknown gunmen over their safety especially as Christmas is fast approaching.
Although no life was lost, but the damage to the three security vehicles, which were razed among other things, may have weakened the security operation in Umuchu town at this period.
Some of the indigenes in diaspora have expressed concern that the State Government has to do something about security in Umuchu town especially the operational vehicles and manpower to guarantee people’s safety.
Some have said outrightly that they are not going to the town because their safety may not be guaranteed as the security in Umuchu town may have been compromised due to the burning of the patrol vehicles.
P.M.EXPRESS investigation revealed that Umuchu town has become the target of the unknown gunmen because of the strategic location of the town as exit route for the criminals.
The road, which connected three major towns namely Umunze, Onne and Umuomaku, makes the town an exit route and any strong security in Umuchu town will affect the operation of the gunmen hence the attack on security men.
Few days ago, a kidnapped victim was dumped by kidnappers between Umuomaku and the Umuchu bush. According to the victim, he is a native of Nnewi and was kidnapped in Nnewi some days ago. He was picked up and united with his people in the presence of the Police Area Command.
The indigenes are therefore, appealing to the Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, to intervene by providing adequate security in Umuchu town and its environs since it has been established that the road is an exit route for unknown gunmen in Anambra State.