For more than a decade, civilians in Nigeria have faced multiple security threats and risk of atrocities as result of attacks, kidnappings and extortion by various non-state armed groups.
Matthew Onocheta
ANAMBRA, Nigeria – Gunmen, in the early hours of Friday, attacked the Ogbaru local government area headquarters at Atani, Anambra State, South-East Nigeria, police said.
Reasons for the attack have not been established, but sources in the area said there were gunshots inside the local government headquarters, which sent panic to the entire area and forcing people to remain indoors, according to local news outlet, Vanguard.
“The security operatives’ gallantry resisted the gunmen. Some local government properties were destroyed, some buildings were affected and no life was lost as joint security operation is ongoing,” said SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command.
Mr. Ikenga said further development on the matter would be communicated.
Ogbaru, the riverine local government, which shares border with Onitsha South and Ekwusigo local government areas, has been experiencing gunmen attacks over the years.
– Insecurity and violence in Nigeria –
For more than a decade, civilians in Nigeria have faced multiple security threats and risk of atrocities as result of attacks, kidnappings and extortion by various non-state armed groups.
Since the start of 2024 civilians have faced intensified violence across Nigeria, and near-daily attacks by armed groups resulting in kidnappings and other abuses against civilians.
Armed groups and gangs, including so-called “bandits,” have – for many years – perpetrated widespread atrocities, including murder, rape, kidnapping, organized cattle-rustling and plunder. Armed herdsmen are also destroying vast swaths of farmland, prompting many farmers to abandon their land out of fear of attack.