Pandemonium In Anambra Community As Two Security Units Invade Landlords’ Association Office, Abduct Three
A shocking and violent confrontation unfolded in Awada, Anambra State, which has led to widespread outrage and questions over the conduct of security operatives in the area. The incident, which occurred on Friday evening, saw a combined team of the Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA) and the Agunechemba Squad invade the office of the Awada Central Landlords Association. During this assault, the operatives abducted three individuals and caused significant property damage.
The situation began earlier on Orsumoghu Street, where tension had been brewing between local residents and SASA officers, who are known for their role in combatting street-level touting and illegal activities. However, according to eyewitness accounts, SASA operatives in the area were not just doing their job—they were allegedly extorting and harassing the residents.
A violent altercation broke out between the SASA operatives and the street boys from Orsumoghu Street. The SASA team, colloquially known as “Akaodo” or “Pestle Boys,” were accused by the residents of harassing the locals and demanding exorbitant sums of money. These extortion practices have long been a source of tension in the area, and the incident on Friday seemed to mark a breaking point.
In the midst of this confrontation, the SASA operatives reportedly abandoned their clash with the street boys when they noticed the presence of the vigilante force from the Awada Central Landlords Association. This group, which acts as the primary security force for the landlords in the community, had been called in by the residents of Orsumoghu Street to help quell the situation.
Unfortunately, rather than de-escalating the confrontation, the SASA officers allegedly turned their aggression towards the vigilantes, accusing them of interference and escalating the violence. What followed was a complete breakdown in order and a violent response from the SASA operatives.
The SASA operatives, in coordination with the state’s ‘Operation Udo Ga-Achi’ security team, launched an unprovoked invasion of the Awada Central Landlords Association’s office. The purpose of the raid was allegedly to intimidate and punish the vigilante officers for their involvement in the previous altercation, though the circumstances surrounding the escalation remain murky.
During the raid, which took place in the evening, the SASA and Agunechemba operatives caused widespread destruction. Properties were damaged or destroyed, including security vehicles, motorcycles, office doors, windows, and various security gadgets. The perpetrators also stole valuable equipment, including two assault rifles—specifically English Pump Action rifles—telephone handsets, and a significant sum of money, believed to be in the thousands of naira.
The destruction didn’t stop at the physical assets. The operatives also abducted three individuals during the assault, which included two members of the Awada Central Landlords Association’s vigilante unit and a female cashier, whose identity was later confirmed as Chinwe.
One of the eyewitnesses, who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, recounted the chaos. According to the source, the SASA/Agunechemba squad was not only violent but also ruthless in its actions, looting the office and destroying property in its wake. They even went so far as to ransack the drawers of several offices within the association’s premises, including the secretary’s office and the financial secretary’s office, stealing a large sum of money and confidential items.
Uchechukwu Jude Ukachi, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Awada Central Landlords Association, provided a detailed account of the events. Ukachi expressed his bewilderment at how the conflict between the SASA operatives and the local street boys on Orsumoghu Street escalated into a full-scale attack on his office. He claimed that the violence that ensued had no connection to the office or its personnel.
“Why should Operation Udo Ga-Achi come to our office to destroy everything, loot, and abduct my men? How does the situation with the street boys concern us?” Ukachi lamented, clearly angered by the unwarranted assault on his association’s premises.
Ukachi described the SASA operatives’ aggression towards his men as unwarranted. He detailed how the vigilantes were simply trying to understand the SASA’s mission in Awada, but were met with hostility instead.
“Unfortunately, when the Akaodo boys saw my men, they abandoned the street boys and launched a violent attack on my men,” Ukachi explained. “This forced my commander to rush to the scene and retrieve the keys of their official vehicle, but by the time I returned to give the key back, they had already left the scene—leaving behind their vehicle.”
He further pointed out the absurdity of the entire incident, questioning how the SASA’s involvement in a street-level altercation with local boys justified the invasion of their office. Ukachi emphasized that the SASA team had no legal grounds to target his employees or the association’s property.
The role of SASA operatives in the incident has been the subject of increasing scrutiny. Residents of Awada and members of the Awada Central Landlords Association have consistently accused SASA officers of harassing and extorting locals. Vice Chairman of the association, Chief Walter Ohiri, weighed in on the allegations, explaining that SASA’s behavior has been a longstanding issue.
According to Ohiri, SASA operatives have been known to extort large sums of money from the residents, with some individuals paying as much as N150,000, N200,000, N300,000, or even N400,000 simply to avoid being arrested or harassed.
Ohiri’s remarks echoed similar complaints from other community members, who felt that SASA’s presence in the area had been less about maintaining law and order and more about leveraging power for financial gain. The extortion and harassment were reportedly done in the open, making it difficult for residents to escape the grip of the operatives.
In response to the accusations, the Administrative Officer of SASA confirmed the raid on the Awada Central Landlords Association’s office but denied any allegations of abduction or extortion. According to the SASA officer, the raid was a direct result of the seizure of their vehicle keys by the vigilantes. He claimed that the SASA operatives had been attacked by the vigilantes, and in retaliation, they searched the Landlords Association’s office for the missing keys.
“We were simply looking for our official vehicle key that had been seized by their security operatives. We did not abduct anyone or extort money,” the Administrative Officer said. He further asserted that the SASA operatives were the victims in the situation, claiming they had been attacked first and were forced to respond to what he described as “grievous injuries.”
Despite these claims, many in the community remain skeptical about SASA’s version of events. The question remains as to whether these security operatives have overstepped their bounds and whether the people of Awada have been subjected to unchecked power and abuse. The matter, confirming that an investigation is underway. SP Tochuckwu Ikenga, the state Police Public Relations Officer, acknowledged the incident and assured the public that peace had been restored in the area.
Ikenga further stated that the police had engaged various stakeholders, including the involved security agencies, to ensure that all parties involved in the conflict come together for a roundtable discussion. The aim is to achieve an amicable resolution to the issue and to restore order and trust within the community.
The pandemonium in Awada, Anambra, has highlighted the growing concern about the conduct of security agencies, particularly SASA, and the need for greater accountability. As the investigation continues, the people of Awada are left grappling with the aftermath of an invasion that not only led to property damage and abductions but also exposed the vulnerabilities in the system designed to protect them. The incident raises larger questions about the role of security forces in enforcing the law and the limits of their power in a community already struggling with issues of harassment and extortion. Only time will tell how the authorities will handle the fallout from this crisis and whether justice will prevail for the residents of Awada.
