Pandemonium struck the industrial town of Nnewi, Wednesday, October 21, following the attack on the Central Police Station (CPS) by some unidentified persons.
News Echo correspondent gathered that over two thousand youths, armed with sticks stormed the police premises, destroying cars and the entire station, before setting them up in flames.
Sources also reported that the arsonists after burning down the CPS proceeded to the Police Area Command where they were repelled by the officers on duty.
“The CPS has become notorious over the years; the traffic unit has always been extorting the unsuspecting members of the public by making frivolous arrest of private and commercial motorcyclists.
“To make matters worse, a unit of police Anti-cult unit was recently housed at the same station. The anti-cult squad has not been professional in their conduct. They go to people’s residence in the middle of the night and make arrests. After that they ask the suspect to name his friends who will also be arrested and extorted,’ a source claimed.
Meanwhile, business activities were paralysed in the industrial town as the markets and other institutions did not open for business. Report also has it that protesters were seen moving round the town, blocking major roads, burning tyres and chanting liberation songs.
However, attempts to get the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Haruna Mohammed on the telephone for his reaction, proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.