Anthony Iwuoma
Some yet-to-be identified gunmen have attacked a rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State, killing one person and injuring many others.
This was also as gunmen attacked supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), at Afor-Nobi market, in the Idemili Local Government Area of the state, killing three people in the process.
Confirming the attack, the APC Anambra State chapter, in a statement signed by its chairman, Basil Ejidike; Secretary, Chukwuma Agufugo and Assistant State Publicity Secretary, Barr. Chukwunoso Chinwuba, in Awka, said the the evening attack led to the death of one Mr. Somadina Oforma and the hospitalisation of many others.
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The statement read, “Our great party regrets the invasion of our party office and attack of members who were gathered for a meeting in Uruagu Ward 3, Nnewi by persons yet unidentified.
“We regret the loss and regard it as one violence too many in an Anambra State that ought to be the safest state in Nigeria, if official claims were anything to go by.
“In the attack, one Somadina Oforma, a vibrant member of our party was shot dead while another member, a female sustained a serious gunshot on her leg. She is presently receiving treatment while the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary.
“This ugly event is coming barely two weeks after the murder of former traditional ruler of Mkpu Nando, Igwe Alex Edoziuno. This killing is one too many!
“APC, Anambra State chapter strongly condemns these attacks and views any such attack on citizens, who go about their legitimate businesses as senseless and retrogressive.
“APC is worried and concerned about the safety of its members and indeed, citizens of Anambra and urges Obiano as the chief security officer of the state to do the needful to safeguard the lives and well-being of Anambra people.
“The party also calls on the police and other security agencies to be proactive about security matters in the state,” it said.
Spokesman of the state police command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, said the state Commissioner of Police, Tony Olofu had ordered investigation into a shooting incident.
Meanwhile, supporters of Chukwuma Soludo, flag bearer of APGA in the November 6 gubernatorial election in the state, including the National Convener of Youth Earnestly Seek Soludo (YESS), Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha, were also attacked by Gunmen.
It was gathered that three persons lost their lives in the attack, while a Toyota Hilux owned by Dr Omenugha and two others were set ablaze.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Tochukwu confirmed the incident and said he sent a police crack team led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police to ascertain what happened, adding that ” the team is working earnestly to identify and apprehend the hoodlums and bring them to book.”
Reacting to the death of his member, Oforma, Senator Uba, the APC candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, said the killing was a politically motivated murder and one too many.
A statement signed on behalf of Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation by Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, called on the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and security agencies working in the state, to urgently take steps to arrest the worsening insecurity in the state.
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He said, “The late Oforma was, without any provocation, shot dead inside the APC office at Uruagu Ward 3, Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state, while holding a meeting with other party faithful, many others sustained varying degrees of injury.
“Uba has however promised to immortalise the deceased, and also reach out to the injured.
“Whilst not imputing any direct motive to these attacks, we are however constrained to observe that our party, the APC, has borne the brunt of majority of them, leaving us to wonder when political contest in Anambra State degenerated to the point of opposition party members living in fear.
“We, therefore, call on Governor Obiano, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, and other law enforcement agencies, including the police, the Department of State Security, DSS and the civil defence corps, to urgently take steps to halt the growing reign of terror in our state.”
