Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka
Gunmen on Thursday evening followed up attack at Aguata Local Government Area Secretariat at Ekwulobia with the invasion of a cattle market in Igboukwu, a neighbouring town.
Ikengaonline learnt from a source who confirmed the incident that the gunmen headed for Igboukwu where they allegedly killed cattle and goats in the market.
Aguata is the home Council of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.
In a viral video, the unknown gunmen after burning Aguata council secretariat, plied through Ekwulobia and headed straight to Igboukwu.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that: “Stopping at Igboukwu Gallop, there’s a cattle ranch where they sell over 30 cows by your right hand, those cows belong to an Igbo man.
“These guys entered there and killed all the cows.”
Confirming the incident, Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, described it as “cruelty to animal.”
“What happened was that some elements while riding on motorbikes yesterday evening and shooting sporadically into the air got to the cattle market and while shooting, some cattle were shot too.
“We have extended our surveillance to that area and our men are already working. This is cruelty to animal and very condemnable. The cattle in question are also owned by people of the area,” Ikenga said.
Recall that the hoodlums believed to be the dreaded unknown gunmen earlier attacked and set ablaze Aguata council headquarters.
The attack came barely one week after similar attack was carried out at the Nnewi council headquarters, Ukpor.
A source close to the area said most shops inside the council secretariat were also burnt, including the main secretariat building, which houses several departments.
The source said that heavy gunshots were also heard from around the secretariat complex, while no motorists were seen going through the ever-busy Orlu Road, in Ekwulobia.
The source said the attack lasted from 3:50 to 4:14p.m., which made shop owners and commuters to scamper for safety.
Another source attributed the attack to suspected launch of attack by soldiers, on the hideout of unknown gunmen in the area.
