Aba #ENDSARS protesters clash with security agencies

Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State is literally boiling as the clash between a combined team of Nigerian Security agencies turned violent, forcing residents to scamper for safety.

The youths believed to be persons participating in Tuesday’s #ENDSARS protest reportedly attacked and set ablaze a police station located along Umuoba road axis of Ogbor Hill, in anger over alleged security agencies brutality on the protesters.

While it was yet to be confirmed what caused the clash between the porters and personnel of the security agencies, it was gathered that the youths became violent after one of the security operatives used live ammunition on the protesters who insisted that they were not going to discontinue the protest.

Unconfirmed reports have it that a police officer whose identity was yet-to-be-ascertained reportedly lost his life in the process as some of the youths were said to have sustained bullet injuries.

Sources in the area stated that at the last count, over fifteen persons with bullet wounds were reportedly taken to a missionary hospital located in the area for emergency treatment.

Also attacked is another police station; Eziama Police Division located near the popular Bata junction along Aba-Ikot Ekpene Expressway.

It was learnt that the angry youths carted away valuable materials from the popular zone 6 Police Station housing the Dragon Unit of the force under Abia State Command.

The chaotic situation which saw some youths setting up bonfires on major roads, forced roadside traders and their counterparts in various major markets to close for business.

At the time of filing the report, passengers at various motor parks are stranded with their wares.

Intra-city commercial transporters were forced to close for the day, forcing many residents and visitors to resort to trekking to their destinations.

The situation is the same in Umuahia, the state capital as information has it that gunshots rented the air, forcing residents and visitors to be apprehensive of the development.

Abia State government through the Commissioner of Information in a statement issued Tuesday evening said “Last night a contingent of police officers on official duty around Azikiwe Road by Asa in Aba, was attacked by yet to be identified hoodlums numbering over 30 who sadly killed one of the officers and also carted away their arms and ammunition even though one of the suspected attackers was apprehended with gunshot injuries.

“After detailed review and assessment of the general security situation, including reports of armed cultists and hoodlums sneaking into the state from different parts of the country in large numbers, the burning down of at least two police stations, reported killing of two policemen in the last two days as well as leaked plans to unleash more violence on innocent citizens, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed security agents to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of the hoodlums, pursue a swift and complete recovery of the stolen arms and ammunition with the necessary vigour, and ensure the cultists are comprehensively flushed out.

“To ensure the continued security of lives and property of law abiding citizens, the Governor has also directed the imposition of a 24-hour curfew on Aba and Umuahia from 6pm today till further notice.

“Furthermore, Governor Ikpeazu has approved a cash reward of Five Million Naira Only (N5, 000,000.00) to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the hoodlums and armed cultists.

“This is in addition to the approval of a reward of One Million Naira Only (N1,000,000.00) for each authentic video evidence on brutality and extrajudicial killings by security agents in the state submitted to the Judicial Panel of Inquiry being inaugurated to investigate the incidents.

“Parents and guardians are strongly advised to monitor the activities of their children and wards to ensure that they are not engaged in nefarious activities, predispose themselves to harm or allow themselves to be used to cause mayhem in the State.”