Suspected Boko Haram member attacks Civil Defence Corps Officer in Anambra

Pandemonium broke out Tuesday evening at Nkpor Junction in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state, near Onitsha, when information filtered that a man suspected to be a Boko Haram member was spotted in the area with explosive materials on his person.

According to eye witness account, the man, a Northerner, had boarded a bike from Umuoji community to an undisclosed destination and the cyclist who became uncomfortable with his mannerisms and the contents of the passenger’s bag, suddenly stopped at Nkpor junction and alerted the armed men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who quickly cordoned off the area and made to arrest the man.

The Northerner resisted arrest and engaged the officers in a struggle before punching one of them. The officers finally overpowered him and frantically searched his bag as on-lookers and inhabitants of the area scampered for safety, suspecting that the man may be carrying a bomb or other explosive device.

The news quickly spread within Onitsha and environs, even as some shop owners within the area quickly made efforts to close and run away from the scene.

Our reporter on the scene confirmed the incident from a civil defense officer, who said officers over-powered the suspect and whisked him off to their office for interrogation.

He noted that on getting to their office, the man was searched and some six inches nails and a lighter were found in his bag.

There has been heightened fear and apprehension in Anambra since the reported relocation from the north of the detained Boko Haram insurgents to Ekwulobia prisons in Aguata Local Government Area of the state. A situation that has made residents fear that Boko Haram might invade the state in retaliatory attacks.