The recent unprecedented bomb attack on both the police station and civic centre in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, took the leadership of the community and the residents by surprise.

This is as they expressed shock over the bombing incident as they condemned the action of the yet unidentified people responsible for the ugly incident, which they described as a big blow to the community.

The incident which did severe damage to the police station and the civic centre, leaving in its wake the death of one police officer attached to the attacked police station, has left many questions than answers as to what could have prompted the fire bomb attack on the civic centre which is neither a government facility nor a property belonging to security agency.

Condemnation

Our correspondent visited the community where he spoke to some members of the community, including the Regent of the community, Prince Noel Ezenwa (Ezeamaalu Oba), the President General of Oba Patriotic Union (OPU), Engr Uzo Ejiofor (Ugonnia Oba); former Youth President of Oba, Chief Obi Ufondu (Ochiagha Oba); aspirants to the vacant Eze Okpoko throne, Chief (Barrister) Vincent Ananti (Aninepungwu Oba) and Chief Engineer Augustine Emelobe (Onwa Oba) and the former National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Idemili South Chapter Chairman, Comrade Kingsley Muoemenam.

The Regent of Oba, Prince Noel Ezenwa (Ichie Ezeama) condemned the unfortunate incident, which has resulted in the total destruction of the police station and near demolition of the Oba Civic Centre.

In a press release signed by the regent, who described the incident as unfortunate, he called on Oba people to remain calm and restrain from pointing accusing fingers at any members of Oba community, saying that Oba leadership and security agencies are working tirelessly to track down the perpetrators.

Prince Ezenwa also commiserated with the family of the late police officer, who is known as Clement by neighbours, who lost his life during the dastardly attack on the community’s property. According to him, ‘‘my attention has been drawn to the very ugly and unfortunate incident that took place in our beloved hometown on the early hours of Tuesday September 3rd, 2024 when the police station and civic centre were set on fire.

“My heart goes out to the family of the police officer on active duty protecting our hometown, who was the sole victim of the attack. “While we have heard of attacks on security personnel on patrol, government facilities and property by unknown persons, the attack on the people’s property realised through selfhelp efforts is a new dimension to these kinds of attacks. This incident is utterly condemnable, heinous and abominable.

He regent further noted, “Be as it may, I call on everyone to guide their utterances casting aspersions on members of our community to remain calm as the leadership and security agencies would do all they can to unravel the cause of the fire and the people responsible for it, in order to forestall a future occurrence. “I want to personally appreciate everyone who made efforts towards stopping the raging fire by inviting several water tanker operators who worked tirelessly to douse the raging flames, Dalunu!

“We will take stock of our losses and damages to update our people and also re-evaluate our security infrastructure. “We have no other hometown to call our own and must all work together as one to ensure the safety of lives and property in our hometown. God is always on our side and we shall rise from these challenges.’’

Land pledge

Also, the PG Oba, Engr Uzo Ejiofor after commiserating with the Nigeria Police over the loss of the gallant officer, Clement, said that plans were already on ground to allocate another space for a police station for the police to continue their professional duties, saying that Oba community assisted the Divisional Police Officer to ensure that the remains of the late officer was properly deposited in the morgue.

He narrated what transpired on the night of the incident, disclosing, “When I got the distress call around 2am on that fateful day, I contacted Fire Service Nnewi which headed to stop the inferno at the police station while I contacted Chumed Company to open their borehole station for some of our indigenous water tanker operators to fill their tankers and start heading for the civic centre Oba to quench the raging fire. “You can see what is left of Oba Civic Centre. It is so painful and a clear evidence that nothing happens without a cause.

We call for patience as investigation is ongoing to ascertain the reason for the attack because the civic centre is not a government facility to warrant such vandalisation or demolition. “This is a very big challenge to Oba community. It is time for Oba people to come together and do the needful so as to forestall future occurrence.”

United front

While Barrister Vincent Ananti (Aninepungwu Oba), commiserated with the regent, PG, Oba people, the Nigerian Police and particularly the family of the deceased police officer. Stating, “This incident is terrible, unheard of and a mystery to Oba people. We hear of such attacks on police check points, station, and LGA secretariats.

Nevertheless, I do not subscribe to people casting aspersions rather if anyone has proofs or any information that will aid investigation or unravel what happened to our civic centre, let it be brought forward. We pray that the police will come up with findings soonest. “We call on Oba people to brace up, come together let us rebuild our town hall.

The regent, PG, Presidents of village quarters, chairmen, kindred heads, and all hands should be on deck to resuscitate our civic centre. “Nze Onyeka Ibeagwa built and donated that police station, let government see what they can do. “This incident has really shown how porous our civic centre is, where several community documents are kept.

There is need to erect a perimeter fence around the civic centre with a gate. Also, darkness is synonymous with evil, so, solar powered camera enabled searchlights should be installed around that area to illuminate the surroundings and scare criminals away. The vigilante operatives and police need to be equipped and insurance scheme established for them so that they can be motivated to always be on surveillance.’’

Speaking on the incident, Engr Augustine Emelobe (Onwa Oba) also condemned in its entirety the unfortunate incident, stating; “The attack on our civic centre is an attack on Oba. The attack is condemnable in its entirety. It is absurd. We pray to God that such a thing does not happen again. We are waiting for the outcome of the ongoing investigation. We hope they tell us the results of the investigation,” said Emelobe.

FG’s stand

A former President Oba Youth, Chief Obi Ufondu (Ochiagha Oba) said: “The task of handling this situation should not be left for the PG alone. It is for all of us. Please nobody should be angry. This is our home and we cannot run away from home. If we lose this place, we have no other place to run to.

Let everyone come together and think on how to make our community safer.” Comrade Kingsley Muoemenam, who is a former NYCN Idemili South Chapter Chairman, suggested that the civic centre vicinity which is always lonely should be made lively with social or business activities.

He further suggested that an anti-cult police unit, should be given a part of the civic centre premises to serve as their post. “The security architecture of Oba community should be improved such as installation of gates in some major streets or connecting roads, which can be locked at nights to checkmate movements of vehicles at odd and night hours, which can limit free access or escape of criminals with bad intentions,” he added.

The OPU Secretary, Mr. Nwabueze Emebo and Agudindu Ezeumuokolobia also urged Oba people both at home and in Diaspora to rally round the PG so as to recover and rebuild the civic centre.

“It looks like our place has been turned into a war zone. We are pleading for unity of Oba people. Let us come together as a broom and assist our PG to develop our community, safeguard and salvage this pathetic situation,” they said.