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By Okey Maduforo Awka
There is growing anxiety in Onitsha South Local Governmental Area following two foiled attempts by hoodlums to loot fire fighting facilities at the over N2.3 Billion Fire Service Station in the area following the recent demolition of parts of the building and the security walls by some land speculators .
Recall that last two days One Mr Uchenna Uzoeto allegedly mobilized suspected thugs in the company of some security operatives to attack the facility by demolishing some parts of the building and walls .
The Fire Service Station which was built and commissioned by the regime of Chief Emeka Orji Mayor of the Council Area early this year has averted three major fire outbreaks had its personnel fleeing the facility due to the attack on the station by thugs .
To this end the Council has pettítioned the Anambra Police Commissioner Nnanna Oji Ama to provide protection of those facilities and also investigate the role of Uzoeto and others in that act of arson .
Already Uzoeto is in police custody based on the orders of Governor Charles Soludo who described the incident as an act of economic sabotage.
According to the petition, signed by the Council Secretary, Mr. Paul Onuachalla, and titled “Petition for the Investigation of Alleged Malicious Damage to Property, Fraud, Intimidation, Harassment and Other Related Offences Committed by Messrs. Uchenna Sabest Uzoeto and Others Now at Large at the Council’s Property Along Silas Works Road, Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area,”
“The persons allegedly accompanying Mr. Uzoeto overwhelmed the Agunanechmba operatives who had been deployed to protect the Council’s facilities at the location,” the petition stated.
It further alleged that Mr. Uzoeto directed the armed persons to commence the demolition of portions of the perimeter walls surrounding the Fire Service Station and adjoining council property.
The council said that, during the incident, approximately five partitions on the vacant portion of the property were demolished, while substantial damage was caused to the perimeter walls and other structures belonging to the council and the Fire Service Station
The council requested that the Nigeria Police Force investigate, among other matters that may arise from the investigation:
“The alleged malicious damage to council property on 7 September 2026 and 23 September 2026”
“The alleged malicious damage to the Fire Service Station and other public utilities on 23 September 2026”
“The alleged unlawful entry upon and destruction of structures on property in the possession and control of OSLG”
The council said the seriousness of the allegations, the alleged repeated destruction of public property, the reported presence and use of firearms during the latest incident, and the alleged continuing threat to the safety of council officials and public facilities warranted urgent police intervention.
“In view of the seriousness of the allegations, the repeated destruction of public property, the alleged presence and use of firearms during the latest incident, and the continuing threat to the safety of Council officials and public facilities, the Council respectfully requests that the matter be accorded urgent attention,” it stated.
It said it was ready and willing to provide the police with all relevant documents, photographs, notices, correspondence, records of previous complaints, evidence of the council’s possession of the property and any other material required to facilitate a thorough and impartial investigation.
The council urged the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the investigation was conducted objectively and without prejudice to any pending or prospective civil proceedings concerning title to the property.
“The immediate concern of the Council is the protection of public property, prevention of further criminal damage, preservation of public peace and the investigation of any criminal conduct disclosed by the facts,” it stated.
The council requested the Commissioner of Police’s urgent intervention and appropriate action.
