Attack on soldiers: Army urged to withdraw personnel from Agulu checkpoint

Major General Lagbaja, General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, has been requested to withdraw his troops from Agulu in Anambra State’s Anaocha Local Government Area.

The appeal came in response to a gunman’s attack on soldiers at a military checkpoint last week, which resulted in a massive exchange of gunfire, injuring and killing several.

Aisha Edwards Maduagwu, Director of Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, made the request to the GOC in a letter to him yesterday, which was made available to newsmen.

Maduagwu stated, among other things, that the army checkpoint in the community is located near the busy Agulu town hall, and that an exchange of gunfire in such an area could result in heavy civilian casualties.

In the letter of appeal, Maduagwu called on the GOC to see reasons to relocate the checkpoint to a safer area.

Parts of the letter read: “It is important that I draw your attention to the danger posed by the military checkpoint at the heart of Agulu town, in Anaocha LGA of Anambra State. This checkpoint is situated directly in front of Agulu Unity hall which attracts heavy human and vehicular traffic with thriving commercial activities around the vicinity.

“The military high command which you are amongst the top brass should consider relocating the checkpoint out from the heart of the town and be situated possibly in the boundary location away from human concentrations and residential areas.

“This would minimize civilian casualties in the case of attacks, and the soldiers would be properly positioned to repel such attack without fear of hitting civilians in the crossfire.”

“Such policy and measures should also be adhered to in any civilian environment unless in a state of emergency.

“I would have been a victim on the episode of 30 April, if not that I abandoned my vehicle and fled into a nearby bush for safety cover.

“Kindly consider this appeal on the basis of re-strategizing the military unit for maximum efficiency and productivity, as well as shielding civilian lives from being caught up in any ensuing cross fire,” she appealed.