By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Suspected secessionist gunmen have attacked and bombed Oba Police Divisional Headquarters in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, killing a police corporal in the process, while others sustained varying degrees of injury.

They also attacked the Oba Civic Centre.

Though the reason for the attacks is still unknown, it coincided with a declaration by secessionist leader Simon Ekpa, who had earlier declared one month-long hostility against government establishments in the South-East, starting from August 28, 2024.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said: “A joint security force comprising the Army, Navy, Civil Defence, and other agencies is currently conducting a joint operation in Oba and its environs.”

"The suspected armed secessionist group shot sporadically and threw petrol bombs, causing fires in some offices and the civic centre.

The statement reads in part: “Following an attack in the early hours of today 3/9/2024 on Oba Police Divisional Headquarters and Oba Civic Centre.

"The Police-led Joint Security Force comprising of the Army, Navy, Civil defence and other security agencies are currently in a joint onslaught operation within Oba and its environments.

"The suspected armed successionist group started shooting sporadically in an attempt to gain entrance to the Police Station and threw petrol bombs at the security facility which made some of the offices catch up with fire including the Oba Civic Center.

“Unfortunately, a police corporal who was fatally wounded paid the supreme price, while the fire was put off with the help of other Police officers on duty and the Joint Security responding team.

“The Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, while condemning the act, described the invasion of Security facilities and hostility towards security agents as an attack on the soul of a Nation and vows to bring those behind the unholy act to book.”