Criminals Operating From Neighbouring States – Gov Soludo

Gunmen invaded a cattle market in Igboukwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing certain number of cows and goats on Thursday evening.

It was gathered that the attack came after the gunmen burnt down buildings and vehicles at Aguata Council Secretariat. Eyewitness said on their way from Ekwulobia, they stopped at Igboukwu and attacked a cattle ranch and killed some cows, belonging to an Igbo man.

“The hoodlums shot sporadically to scare people, before they left the area,” he said

Meanwhile, the Police Command in Anambra State confirmed the incident. In a statement yesterday, the spokesperson, Anambra State Police Command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident said some elements, while riding on motorbikes started shooting sporadically into the air as well as the animals.

He said the command has extended its surveillance to that area and that operatives are already working, adding, “This is cruelty to animal and very condemnable. The cattle in question are also owned by people of the area.”

Meanwhile, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who visited Igboukwu, said the armed criminals have been operating as kidnappers, rapists, etc., for close to two years from camps set up in Aguluezechukwu and Oboji.

Addressing newsmen at Aguata Council Secretariat, Soludo revealed that 85 percent of these criminals were from a particular state in Southeast while the remaining 15 percent come from other states.

Soludo further assured the people that peace and stability must return in Anambra and South East, adding, “Anybody in the bush is a criminal and will be treated as such. We will come after criminals because the people’s power must triumph.

“Yesterday, security operatives smoked out some criminal camps at Ogboji and Aguluezechukwu, … part of the items found in these criminal hideouts was a register of kidnap victims and the ransom paid.”