Bush fire guts Anambra school

Anambra State Police Command has arrested a six-man robbery gang, who have been terrorising people in Ogidi town and its environs in Idemili North Local Council of the state.

Spokesperson for the Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement, yesterday, said various arms and vehicles were recovered from the arrested criminals. He also said members of the gang have confessed to their culpability in several operations.

According to him, the suspects include: Innocent Ifeanyi, ‘m, 29, Nweze Chiderah, ‘m’, 33, Igwe Emmanuel, ‘m’, 20 years, Kelechi Ani (m) 35years, Chidera Nwaobodo (m) 23 and Emeka Onuoha, 30 .

He said: “On January 4, 2023 at about 5:30pm, police operatives while on surveillance patrol along Ogidi/Eke-Nkpor road intercepted a six-man armed robbery gang.

“The operatives engaged the armed robbers in a gun duel, and due to superior gun power and serious chase by the police operatives, the assailants were later arrested with gunshot injuries.

“Operatives recovered two automatic pump action guns, six live cartridges, one suspected snatched black Toyota Camry and one ash Toyota corolla.

“The suspects were about to escape the scene after a car snatching and robbery operation when they were confronted by security operatives.”

Meanwhile, a bush fire, yesterday, torched a secondary school, with four classroom blocks affected in Anambra State Eyewitness said four classroom blocks at the Comprehensive Secondary School, Nawfia, were partly burnt.

It was also gathered that another bush fire encroached into Golden Tulip Hotel, a popular Hotel building in Agulu, but caused no damage to it.

Confirming the incident, fire chief in the state, Martin Agbili, linked the inferno to what he termed careless burning of bushes, adding the time of the incidents happened at about 2:15p.m. and 3:46p.m. respectively.

He said losses on both facilities would have been great if not for quick intervention of his men. He warned that people must realise that it is the peak of harmattan, and should be careful when clearing bushes around schools, churches, markets, hospitals, offices and residential homes. (The Guardian: Text, excluding headline)

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