The new Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi state, Mr Awosola Awotunde, on Monday urged residents of the state to be calm over attacks by suspected political thugs in some communities in the state.
Awotunde who spoke to journalists after his assessment visits to Izzi which was worse hit, vowed to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly acts.
The police boss condemned the attacks and warned against any reprisal. He added that those involved in the criminal attacks will be brought to book.
“We appeal for calm and assure the public that police will spare no efforts in ensuring that everyone who is involved in the dastardly act is brought to book including their sponsors; so please accept my sympathy.
“The police further reassure the public of commitment to protection of lives and property of every citizen of the state before, during and after the elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the victims of the attack, Mr Donatus Nwofe who spoke to journalists at Aguabata in Agbaja community of Izzi said that he lost two of his buildings and property worthy several millions to the attackers.
Narrating his ordeal, Nwofe, chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Ebonyi council said that the suspected political thugs invaded his compound and shot sporadically before setting the houses ablaze.
“I lost everything; even the boxers I am wearing was donated to me by a sympathizer, as you can see, no pin was removed from the burnt down houses.
“We now live in fear as no one knows when the hoodlums will attack again with their AK 47 riffles and other weapons.
“I am appealing to police to beef up security in the community and I am also calling on state and federal governments to come to the rescue of the victims of the attacks,” Nwofe said.
