Emerging report reaching indicates that there is currently tension in Anambra State, due to the widespread violence recorded in the buildup to the November 6, 2021, Governorship election.
Many Politicians have gone into hiding, while others have relocated out of the State, reportedly, over the fear of the mystery killer gunmen currently waging attacks in the State.
One of such attacks happened on Friday, when a Policeman and the Driver of a Federal Lawmaker were killed, while a Police Station was set on fire.
The gunmen had attacked the convoy of the Lawmaker representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chris Emeka Azubogu.
Hon. Azubogu, who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a few hours before the incident, was luckily not in the convoy when the assailant struck.
Two days before the attack, 7 persons, including, Dr. Chike Akunyili, the widower of Dr. Dora Akunyili, a former Director-General of the National Agency for Food Administration and Drug Control, NAFDAC, were murdered in broad daylight.
The dethroned Traditional Ruler of Mkpunando Aguleri, Alex Edozieuno, was also murdered weeks before the killing of Dr. Akunyili.
Edozieuno was killed along Ezu Bridge, Otuocha, in Anambra East Local Government Area of the State.
Andy Uba, the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the election, on Saturday, suspended the flag-off of his campaign, due to the killings.
It is unclear however, if the killings in Anambra State have a political undertone, or the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, is behind them.
Currently, banners and bill boards bearing campaign massages are being pulled down, while branded campaign vehicles are hardly seen on the streets.
Also, the Nigerian Coat of Arms and Flags have been removed in some public and government buildings, for fear of the attack by gunmen.
However, there is a heavy Security presence in the State.
The Police Special Command Squad has over 30 Armoured Personnel Carriers at major security flash points in the State, such as the River Niger bridge head, Upper Iweka, Nkpor, Abagana, Amawbia bye pass to the Enugu-Onitsha expressways, as well as Oba junction, along Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.
Also, Officers and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSDC, have been deployed across the State.
According to a Press release by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Okadigbo Damian, the State Commandant, Everestus Chimezie Obiayo, has ordered the Head of Operations, Department of Intelligence, and Investigations Department and Rapid Response Squad, to coordinate Security deployments, and ensure that Officers operate within the context of the Law.
More news later…