Anambra governor, Willie Obiano, has declared a 24-hour curfew starting 8pm Thursday after arsonists torched the Central Police Station, Nnewi.
Witnesses say a group of unknown people visited in the early hours, freed detainees at the station, burnt cars belonging to police officers, carted away ammunition, seized motorbikes and set the premises on fire.
“They stormed the premises with guns as they forced their way in despite police presence.
“It was said to be an unexpected attack as some of the policemen were caught off guard,” one source said.
By Thursday morning, looters took to vehicles and other items around the police compound.
“Everything was burnt to the ground as even the security officials are scared as none was seen wearing their uniforms,” he said.
Schools, markets and all gatherings are banned by the curfew declared by the government.
“But we must not succumb to the morbid attractions of violence; no matter the provocation, no matter how justified our anger and no matter how easy it all might seem.
“Violence does not yield fruitful results,” said Obiano in a broadcast.
“Our beloved state remains largely safe and isolated from the boiling sea outside, we have also recorded a few unpleasant incidents in our domain and there is justifiable anger in the land.
“But we cannot give it a chance to consume us all.”
Anambra has moved in response to the demands by #ENDSARS.
One of SARS’ most notorious detention centres was exposed in Awkuzu.
“I have personally visited all the facilities used by the defunct SARS and freed all the prisoners in unlawful detention.
“I have set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to listen to petitions from victims of human rights violations by the defunct SARS.
“And more importantly, I am happy to announce that we have set aside the sum of N200m to be disbursed as compensations to people who have proven cases of rights violations, torture and deaths from the activities of the defunct SARS in Anambra State.
“This provision is part of the 2021 Budget which shall be presented to the State House of Assembly in a matter of days.”
