Mayhem in Onitsha: Two dead, 20 injured as youths attack parks

Mayhem in Onitsha: Two dead, 20 injured 

as youths attack parks

July 12, 2013

From EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha

Terseer Adamu ( Review)

No fewer than two persons were allegedly killed while over 20 others sustained serious injuries when youths suspected to be Obosi youths attacked some motor parks in the early hours of yesterday.

It was gathered that the youths, armed with dangerous weapons, stormed the park where they allegedly apprehended some people including passengers traveling to various parts of the state.

The agent in charge of the park, Lutas Collections, managed by Sir Ifeanyi Okafor narrowly escaped death in the hands of the youths who invaded the park and started collecting money from the motorists operating in the park.

One of the victims, who spoke to our reporter on the condition of anonymity said, “the youths, who were wielding dangerous weapons including dane guns, matchetes, and axes chanted war songs and over powered over 50 policemen drafted to maintain peace and order in the park.”

He further disclosed that some of the victims of the attack were rushed to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Orlu Teaching Hospital and Anambra State University Teaching Hospital, Awka as at the time of filing this report.

Sir Okafor said he was in the park at the time of the invasion to direct his workers on what to do for the day, when he suddenly noticed some rowdy movements and saw some boys beating and maiming people with all kinds of dangerous weapons. he said he decided to run for dear life.

He urged the Anambra State Government to come to their aid as the menace of the hoodlums, who invade parks and extort money from the managers was becoming unbearable. He said the presence of the policemen, who also helped to take some of the victims to the hospitals saved the lives of the victims, whose injuries were serious.

He said they had gone to Awka with some of the victims of the attack to report at the police headquarters. Former special adviser to the Anambra State Government on Markets and Parks, Chief Sylvester Nwobualor, under whose administration the government gave out the parks, condemned the activities of the Obosi youths, who invade parks at will irrespective of the presence of the police and the army.

He warned that people should not take the peaceful nature of Governor Peter Obi for cowardice, inefficiency and inactivity, warning that enough was enough and that the government would not take the insult any longer.

He called on security agencies in the state to pay attention to government facilities in the state and protect the people working in such facilities to avoid blood shed, while commending the security agencies for taking control of the situation of things at the park.

However, bodies of the two victims had been deposited at the Onitsha General Hospital mortuary while police said they were investigating the cause of the incident. When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area, Mr Emeka Ugwu said he had deployed his men to take control of the situation at the park and said the situation was under control.

SOURCE: http://sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/mayhem-in-onitsha-two-dead-20-injured-as-youths-attack-parks/