The Transition Committee Chairman of Ihiala Local Government Area in Anambra State, Hon. Kingsley Obi, has revealed that he runs the activities of the council under trees inside the secretariat complex.

He stated that this was as a result of the destruction of 14 buildings in the secretariat by gunmen in January this year.

Ihiala is among the local government areas in Anambra State that have suffered serious attacks from hoodlums, who are now widely referred to as ‘unknown gunmen’. Some security operatives, including members of vigilance group, lost their lives during the attack.

The council chairman, who spoke to journalists in Awka yesterday, said the council was totally destroyed by the invading gunmen, and that there were suggestions for him to move to a nearby secretariat in Ekwusigo Local Government Area to continue the running of the council activities, but he rejected it, insisting on doing so under trees in the council secretariat.

He, however, praised the state Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for promptly responding by beginning immediately to rebuild the destroyed structures.

Obi said: “Ihiala Local Government Area Secretariat was attacked on January 12, 2023, by hoodlums where about 14 buildings were burnt down completely.

“But today, we are almost rounding off the reconstruction of the local government secretariat. Hopefully, in the next two months, everything will return to normalcy again.

“They asked us to go to Ekwusigo but I refused; I will not do that as I prefer to stay under the trees to make sure the government intervened promptly. So the governor intervened quickly and things are going on well.

“We are working day and night to finish the reconstruction. The workers are living inside the secretariat just to ensure that they get it done. About 20 men are working there 24 hours, including Sundays, just to make sure that they finish the reconstruction within the stipulated time.

“Soludo gave Ihiala LGA more rapid response than any other place. Remember that Nnewi-South Council Secretariat got burnt about two and a half years ago, and they are still on it.”

Obi blamed fifth columnists for sabotaging efforts at fighting insecurity in the area, saying however that security has improved in the area, as no attack has been registered for two months now. (THISDAY)

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