… Places N20M bounty on killer gunmen
The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has said that attacks on citizens at Oko, Agulu, Obosi, Nkpor, Nnobi, Nnewi and other places between Sunday 26th and Tuesday 28th September, 2021 have left about ten (10) people dead including Dr. Chike Akunyili, husband of late Prof. Dora Akunyili who was reportedly gunned down on Monday around Nkpor.
Governor Obiano who stated this in a statewide broadcast in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Wednesday observed that since last weekend, some armed persons had unleashed terror with sporadic attacks on innocent citizens in various parts of the State.
He disclosed that from the briefings he had received from security commanders, offices of some political parties, branded campaign vehicles and individuals occupying them had been attacked with killings and burning of vehicles observed.
He added that other innocent road users had become victims of this menace with many losing their lives and others, their properties.
According to him, “Between Sunday 26th and yesterday 28th September, 2021 attacks on citizens at Oko, Agulu, Obosi, Nkpor, Nnobi, Nnewi and other places have left about ten (10) people dead including an illustrious son of this State, Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of late Prof Dora Akunyili who was reportedly gunned down yesterday around Nkpor.
“These are our own people dying every day and for what reason? Ndi Anambra, these attacks and accompanying deaths cannot be justified and must stop now.”
He, however, informed that he had conducted an extensive security meeting and had directed all security agencies to step up and confront this monster ravaging the land.
“I charge everyone involved in the security architecture of Anambra State to take very seriously, this threat to our livelihood and boldly rise to confront same. Everything that needs to be done will be done and no stone will be left unturned in this effort. My directive to this effect is clear and i urge every security personnel on duty in Anambra State to do his utmost best to secure our people.
“To all citizens of Anambra State and every person living and doing business in our State, I urge you now to join forces with us to confront this common enemy. We cannot condone this savagery for any reason whatsoever. I therefore call on all our youths in the State to rise up and protect our communities. Traditional Rulers, Presidents General, Clergy men, Vigilante Groups and all leadership structures must now take responsibility and in conjunction with the Police, Military and other Law Enforcement Agencies, work to restore order immediately”, the Governor said.
“To reinforce our commitment and seriousness on this issue, Governor Obiano continued, “I on behalf of the State Government, wish to announce a twenty million Naira (N20,000,000.00) reward for any useful information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of these heinous attacks on our State. The people behind this must be unmasked and brought to book.
“I urge citizens to report to us, anybody bearing firearm who is not a security or vigilante personnel, so we can deal with this monster, once and for all. Call 07039194332 or approach any security deployment if you have any information. As the Americans say, If You See Something, Say Something.”
He, therefore, condoled with the families of all those who had lost their loved ones in the course of those senseless attacks promising that “we will leave no stone unturned in getting justice for them. May their souls rest in peace.”
The Governor, subsequently, urged all citizens of the State to unite in the fight against all forms of terror, intimidation and tyranny adding that “we will not succumb to invaders as I am convinced that no Anambra son will indulge in this kind of heartlessness.”
He further warned all those promoting and participating in those violent attacks to leave the State or pay a high price as the law would definitely catch up with them.
“To all law abiding citizens and persons living in our State, I urge you to go about your lawful businesses but we must now all go to work and take back our State. This is Anambra, the Light of the Nation, where darkness has no place. The events of the last one week will not be allowed to fester and by God’s grace, we shall overcome”, he concluded.
Photo: Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State flanked by security Chiefs during the statewide broadcast in Awka yesterday.
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