Nwafor Okafor

Gunmen attack: Group Asks GOC 82 Div to withdraw soldiers in Obi, Akunyili's community



The General Officer Commanding( GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has been urged to withdraw soldiers from Agulu in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Agulu is the hometown of a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi and the late Minister of Information, Prof Dora Akunyili.

The call came following an attack on the on a military checkpoint in front of the old house of late Akunyili last week by gunmen, resulting in heavy casualties .

Last week's attack was the second time on the military checkpoint within one month

Sequel to that, the Director of Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Mrs Aisha Edwards Maduagwu had to petition the GOC in a letter made available to journalists in Awka the Anambra State capital on Tuesday.

Maduagwu inter alia said the location of the army checkpoint in the community was at heart of the town , arguing that exchange of gunfire in such area could lead to heavy civilian casualties.

Maduagwu appealed to the GOC to see reasons to relocate the checkpoint to a safer area or completely withdraw the troop from the community since they had become an attraction to hoodlumd

The petition read in part “It is important that I draw your attention to the danger posed by the military checkpoint at the heart of Agulu town, in Anaocha LGA of Anambra State. This checkpoint is situated directly in front of Agulu Unity hall which attracts heavy human and vehicular traffic with thriving commercial activities around the vicinity.

“The military high command which you are amongst the top brass should consider relocating the checkpoint out from the heart of the town and be situated possibly in the boundary location away from human concentrations and residential areas.

“This would minimize civilian casualties in the case of attacks, and the soldiers would be properly positioned to repel such attack without fear of hitting civilians in the cross fire.”

Maduagwu argued that even in military divisions, settlement, installation and barracks, the duty posts and quarter guards were removed far away from residential and administrative blocks to prevent unforseen circumstances.

She added “Such policy and measures should also be adhered to in any civilian environment unless in a state of emergency.I would have been a victim on the episode of 30 April, if not that I abandoned my vehicle and fled into a nearby bush for safety cover.

“Kindly consider this appeal on the basis of re-strategizing the military unit for maximum efficiency and productivity, as well as shielding civilian lives from being caught up in any ensuing cross fire.



The New National Star had reported that gunmen who invaded the community on Saturday were shouting "release Nnamdi Kanu or see trouble"

Hmmmm