Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state has directed youths in the troubled Anaku community, in Ayamelum local government area of the state, to release a soldier they abducted, and return his gun taken by the decadent youths.
This was disclosed by the transition committee chairman of Ayamelum local government area,Chief Livinus Onyenwe, during a chat with our correspondent yesterday.
According to him, the governor also directed law enforcement agencies in the state, including the police, army, DSS, Civil Defense and others to do everything within their constitutional powers to ensure that the soldier is rescued, and his raffle returned.
The governor, who recalled with dismay how youths of Anaku community, led by one Nnamdi Maneke, aka Vulture, and his gang invaded Omor, a neighbouring town, on Monday, February 6, and shot at people, killing at least, 8 persons, and abducted about 6 others, said such dastardly act cannot continue under his watch.
He recalled that security operatives, including soldiers, were deployed to restore peace to the area, and instead of embracing peace, youths of the town engaged the soldiers, and went ahead to abduct a soldier and his gun taken away.
According to the governor, security operatives would remain in the town, combing the ground until the perpetrators are tracked down, and dealt with, according to the law.
He said that the soldiers had very serious gun battle with the decadent youths; and in the process, a soldier was abducted, and his gun taken away. He also informed that in retaliation, the soldiers pulled down the house of the gang leader, Nnamdi Maneke, as well as some other youths suspected to belong to the deadly gang.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has reiterated its determination to arrest the hoodlums and make them to face the law.
Speaking through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ikenga Tochukwu, the command said it is not only striving to rescue the security personnel and recover his arms, but would also arrest the perpetrators, and restore sanity to the troubled areas.