By Okey Maduforo
Twenty-four hours after gunmen killed four members of the Anambra Vigilante Services (AVS), disquiet persists in Ukpo and Abatete communities, with commercial activities yet to fully resume.
This unsettling incident has prompted the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Media Warriors Forum (AMWF) to allege sabotage by opposition forces against the administration of Governor Charles Soludo.
Fear and Heightened Security
In Ukpo and Abatete, major markets remain largely closed as residents fear further attacks. Local security operatives have intensified identification checks on both natives and non-indigenes to prevent a recurrence.
A security operative in Abatete, who spoke anonymously, revealed:
“We suspect the attackers may have been in our town a day prior to the attack, possibly laying ambush at eateries and bars. We are taking precautions and have briefed landlords on what to do.”
Similarly, vigilante leaders in Ukpo are undertaking measures to strengthen security and avert future incidents.
Local Government Response
Chief Stanley Nkwoka, Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area and a native of Abatete, stated that the council is awaiting the outcome of the police investigation before taking action. However, he did not disclose any plans for improving the local security infrastructure.
Allegations of Sabotage by Opposition
The APGA Media Warriors Forum, led by its coordinator, Evang. Chinedu Obigwe, accused opposition elements of orchestrating the attack to undermine Governor Soludo’s administration and derail his second-term bid.
Obigwe alleged:
“The November 8, 2025, election is eleven months away, and desperate opposition elements have resorted to sponsoring violence to create the impression that Anambra is insecure. Their goal is to instill fear in the electorate, militarize the state, and rig the election.”
He dismissed the notion of “unknown gunmen,” referring to them instead as “sponsored killers” intent on tarnishing the governor’s image.
Obigwe added:
“Governor Soludo’s administration is the answer to the prayers of Anambra people. No amount of politically motivated bloodletting will derail his divine mission in the state. The opposition tried this between 2020 and 2021, but the will of Anambra people triumphed then and will triumph again in 2025.”
A Community in Mourning
As investigations continue, the people of Ukpo and Abatete remain on edge, calling for swift action to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of their communities. Meanwhile, the alleged politicization of security concerns has further polarized opinions, setting the stage for a contentious election season in Anambra State.
