Mayhem As Police Storms Abia Community Over Death Of Colleague, Burn Buildings, Loot Shops.

Fear has gripped the residents of Ndiegoro community in Aba, Abia State, as Policemen numbering over 60 stormed the area setting buildings, businesses on fire and looting properties over the killing of their  colleague.

As at the time of filing this report, over 17 buildings located at Degema, Umuosi,Okojombo and Anaba streets in Ndiegoro area have been burnt  and properties looted by the irate Policemen armed to the teeth.

Gunmen had on Friday last week shot dead a policeman and a civilian bus driver identified as their ‘informant’ as they patrolled the Ndiegoro area. The police also lost three AK Rifles to the hoodlums. Pointblanknews.com gathered that the police team usually come to the area to ‘collect money’ from a drug cartel operating at Ndiegoro; a crime infested area of Aba.

Angered by the death of their colleague, the policemen arrived the area in a commando style, amidst heavy shooting and arresting residents. Others embarked on a looting spree and setting fire to buildings.

Residents have fled the area for fear of arrest as over 100 are being detained at the Ndiegoro police Division.

A landlord, identified as Andy Onyedinanma, lamented that his 15 room apartment was burnt by the Police who also looted properties.

“What happened was that Policemen usually come to Okojombo  and Degema streets to collect their share from a drug cartel in the area.

“On Friday, they were doing the same thing around 6:15pm when some hoodlums confronted them. A fight broke. The Police began shooting, but were overpowered and lost their guns to the hoodlums. The hoodlums killed one of the policemen and a civilian who drove their patrol bus. The police returned after the incident, setting buildings on fire and arresting residents they could lay their hands on.”

A shop owner, resident of Anaba Street alleged that the Police ransacked homes and shops looting bags of rice, cartons of indomie,, plasma TV, generator set, handsets, weavons, cartons of beer and clothes.

She said, “The police looted shops and houses carting away bags of rice, television, clothes and other things and still set fire to the building. How many buildings of innocent people will the police continue to burn? Over 50 persons were arrested in our compound and the police collected N100,000 from them as bail. They are still arresting more people.”

“Now, we have no place to lay our heads, everything has been destroyed. Why will the Nigeria Police punish us for an offence we did not commit?

Reacting to the allegations of policemen looting properties and setting buildings ablaze, Abia State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ene Okon, “Police did not burn any house. Where is the policeman? The ones that were caught in army uniform who were they? They can go back and burn whatever they want.

“I don’t know of any police and I’m the head of police in Abia and I’m saying that police has not burnt any house. Anybody that has hand in the murder of the police man will face the law.

“We didn’t release anybody not to talk of collecting money. After killing a police officer and collecting AK47 with 40 rounds ,they come to you people to  whip sentiments. We are looking for those arms now.   The community should be ashamed. They’re harbouring criminals and now they’re accusing police of coming to collect money.

“Even if police came there to collect money, does that warrant killing them? The group that did this where are they from? Is it not from the same community? The people burnt the buildings to cover their tracks.”