Hoodlums raze Ariaria police station, attempts to break ATM in Aba

Police sources told newsmen that the hoodlums made away with some television and air conditioner sets at the station. Unconfirmed reports has it that a Policeman lost his life in the incident. The situation caused panic in the area as people scampered to safety while heavy gunfire rent the air. Traders at the Ariaria International market, located opposite the burnt station did not open for business. The roads were deserted as banks, markets and other business centres shut their doors to customers, even as a team of soldiers and policemen patrolled the streets. Along the expressway, hoodlums set up bonfires but this was quickly removed by Policemen and soldiers. However, the soldiers stationed at the Bata and Osisioma Ngwa junctions appear to have heeded the directive of the state government and military authorities not to harass innocent residents. The soldiers had yesterday allegedly frog marched residents who could not raise their hands while passing through the military checkpoints. When contacted, Abia State Police spokesman, DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the destruction of the Ariaria Police station by suspected hoodlums, stated that the situation has been brought under control as security has been beefed up in the area. vanguardng]]>