|
New Page 4
Police probe fire at Anambra electoral office
FELIX UKA, Awka
POLICE in
Anambra State are investigating an attempt by some unidentified persons last
Friday night to torch the headquarters of the State Independent Electoral
Commission (ANSIEC).
The action came just as All Progressives
Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state warned against any excuse by the police for
not arresting all the perpetrators."
Government House, Awka, also reacted,
saying it was the handiwork of enemies of the state government campaigning for
the tribunal to be moved out of the state, to strike fear into the members.
The office of the tribunal secretary where
vital election materials being used as evidence in the governorship tussle
between Gov. Chris Ngige, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) and APGA’s Mr. Peter Obi, was said to be the target of the faceless
persons.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Kolape
Shofoluwe told Daily Champion yesterday that the hoodlums moved to torch
the tribunal secretary’s office, "but the fire only affected the door."
Shofoluwe added: "Everything, the
documents are intact. The documents have been moved to the police divisional
headquarters. The fire was put out under 10 minutes on that Friday night about
8.45. The Commissioner of Police (CP) has directed the State Criminal
Investigation Department (SCID) to conduct investigation into the matter."
He said the CP would brief the press
today.
Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity to the governor, Mr. Fred Chukwuelobe, told Daily Champion that
the attempt to torch the tribunal building was the handiwork of anti-government
elements.
"They have been campaigning for the
tribunal to be moved out of Awka. They want the tribunal members to see that
their safety is not guaranteed.
"We’ve called on the police to investigate
and assure the tribunal members that their safety is guaranteed," Chukwuelobe
said.
Contacted at the Mano Hotel, along the
Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, in Awka, Mr. Obi said: "I came here to meet with party
loyalists, not about burning or removing this and that. Let those competent to
speak do so."
Thereafter, the APGA candidate’s associate, Chief Greg
Moekwe told Daily Champion that "if the tribunal documents are still not
at the tribunal, it’s too unfortunate considering what Anambra State has seen
till now. Police Area Command and the Central Police Station (CPS) are a pole to
the tribunal. If such attempt is made, there will be no excuse for not arresting
all perpetrators."
|
