Anthony Iwuoma
A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and frontline gubernatorial aspirant in the Anambra governorship election, Prof. Charles Soludo, has reacted to the attack on him, saying it lacked sense.
Soludo, who is a leading aspirant for the ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, was on Wednesday attacked during town hall meeting in Isuofia community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Three policemen guarding him died in the attack, which the former CBN governor said lasted between 10 – 15 minutes.
Soludo spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today, saying he was rounding off the meeting and about to call for comments when the attackers struck.
According to him: “I thought the policemen were shooting in the air. Until I began to hear people screaming and all of that and everybody just scampered for safety.
“By the time we all came back, we saw three bodies lying in the pool of their blood. They were the three policemen. May God grant their soul eternal rest.”
The gubernatorial hopeful expressed grief over the death of the police personnel and sympathised with the bereaved families, promising them assistance.
He condemned the ‘senseless’ attack, adding that the quest for political office should not be at the expense of human lives.
Meanwhile, the police have arrested five suspects in connection to the dastardly act, which has attracted wide condemnation.
Spokesperson of the Anambra State police command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, stated this in a late Thursday press release.
He said: “Police Operatives attached to Anambra State Command today 1st April, 2021 arrested four (4) additional suspects in connection to the recent attack and gruesome murder of three (3) policemen at Isuofia Civic Center in Aguata LGA of Anambra State.
“The suspects are: Mbah Victor ‘M’ aged 30years, John Olisakwe ‘M’ aged 21years. Chigozie Omeh ‘M’ aged 20years and Emmanuel Nnobi ‘M’ aged 28years.
“The suspects confessed to have actively taken part in the attack and subsequent abduction of Commissioner for Public and Utilities, Engr Emeka Ezenwanne, who the command is working assiduously to rescue.”
The PPRO further disclosed that the police have spread its dragnet to arrest other fleeing accomplices, to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He added that the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Monday Bala Kuryas, has restated his commitment to ensuring safety and security of lives and property of Anambra people and residents.
