…Seven Policemen injured, Station Burnt, Weapon Stolen
By Stanley Chibuzor
Anambra: The Anambra State Police Command has arrested five youths in connection with the burning down of Nnewi police Station, vandalization of the armory, stealing of weapons and injury to seven police officers during the
#Endsars Protest.
The police also declared six other youths wanted for the various roles they played in the protest which has created tension in Nnewi and residents fleeling the area for fear of police attacks.
#Endsars is a decentralised social movement, and series of mass protest against police brutality in Nigeria. The protest which started on the 8th of October 2020 in Abuja quickly spread to Lagos, Edo, Oyo and other States across Nigeria as youths occupied major streets in Capital cities demanding the disbandment of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operation across Nigeria.
Following the massive protest in Nnewi which led to the break down of law and order, some youths were arrested. Those arrested include Timothy Ayanwun, Chris Nwokocha, Adulfus Amos, Chukwu Ebube and Tobechukwu Nwosu.
The six youths declared wanted include Ezeadina Samuel obunike, onyeuwaoma Tochukwu Jonas, Ibe Olekeke Collins Ikemba, Nonso Chikere and Jonathan Chikason.
Investigation revealed that Ezeadina Samuel Obunike and Onyeuwaoma Tochukwu Jonas who are among the six declared wanted operates a Beer Parlour close to Nnewi Police Station from where members of #EndSARS protest gathers daily to strategize before embarking on the protest to end police brutality in Nigeria.
It was gathered that youths in the area joined other youths across the nation to protest against police brutality, police corruption which was on for over two weeks before the Lekki Toll Gate killing of October 20, 2020 leaving many youths dead.
Despite the killing, youths in Nnewi still went ahead with their protest four days after the Lekki shooting that left scores of youths dead as security operative began a clampdown on youths across the nation to stop the protest.
According to report, Ezeadina Samuel Obunike and Onyeuwaoma Tochukwu Jonas despite the Lagos shooting, they still allowed youths to gather at their Beer Parlour to strategize and continue the protest daily. But on October 24th 2020 they clashed with the police close to the station.
Investigation revealed that the clash led to the arrest of several youths while others sustained gun shot injury. This angered the protesters who refused to stop the protest as instructed by the police. They left the scene and regrouped to rescue others arrested. Their attempt led to shooting which snowball into big crises as seven policemen got injured and the Nnewi police station burnt down.
According to Chukwu Ebube who is in police custody said the owners of the Beer parlour played a vital role in the protest by providing us a place to gather everyday while the protest lasted.
“On the faithful day the police clash with us and arrested some of us were on a peaceful protest as usual. We never attacked the station, never confronted the police but were shocked as they attacked the protesters. They started shooting at us for no just course and arrested some of us.
“These angered us as we began to throw stones to defend ourselves. We are not responsible for the burning of the police station but some unidentified hoodloom who took the fight from the youths attacked the Station and set it ablaze.
“The station was set ablaze because about 10 youths sustained various degree of injuries and bullet wounds also Seven police officers. The Beer Parlour was also burnt by unknown persons but we believed the burning down of the Beer Parlour was alledgely sponsored by the police.
“The weapon stolen was not stolen by the youths. The police should investigate further as the youths are innocent of the allegation, all others who have been declared wanted by the police have gone into hiding”.
An eye witness who does not wants his name mention in print for fear of been attracted by the police said after the incident of 24th October 2020, the police began to move from house to house arresting youths accusing them to stealing arms. ” This led to panic in the area as youths began to run for their lives. They also arrested several journalist who went to the Station to investigate what happened.
“They frustrated the youths, arrested people indiscriminately, frustrated media investigation and arrest journalist. I have been hiding since the incident and can only speak to the media today 27th of October, days after the incident”.
The Investigating Police Officer (IPO) Inspector Irek Sunday said Ezeadina Samuel Obunike and Onyeuwaoma Tochukwu Jonas are the target as they allowed their business places be used for such act.
“They led youths to attack Nnewi police station, burnt it down, destroyed vehicles, injured police officers and stole weapons. Until the weapons stolen are found the society will not be safe for us to live in. Ezeadina Samuel Obunike and Onyeuwaoma Tochukwu Jonas will tell us what happens to the weapons”.
As at the time of filing in this report the whereabouts of Ezeadina Samuel Obunike and Onyeuwaoma Tochukwu Jonas is yet unknown.
