Suspected Hoodlums Burn Federal High Court, Abakaliki!

The worrisome trend of pillage and arson in South-East Nigeria continues as suspected hoodlums set ablaze a part of the Federal High Court in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State.

The attack was carried out on Tuesday by hoodlums using petrol bombs, a source told our correspondent.

The fire which began in the early hours affected the library and the security post of the court building.

However, fire fighters were said to have later mobilised to the scene to put out the fire before it could cause more damage.

No casualty was recorded in the attack which destroyed court records in the library.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Ebonyi, Mrs Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident on Tuesday while stating that no arrest had been made.

However, investigations have commenced in order to unravel the event while bringing the culprits to justice, Odah clarified.

“Hoodlums in the early hours of Tuesday wielding dangerous weapons stormed the federal high court premises and burnt part of the building.

“Though no arrest has been made, an investigation is ongoing.

“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Aliyu Garba, has promised to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” Odah said.

Meanwhile, a detachment of the Nigerian Mobile Police (MOPOL) has been drafted to the area to secure the court premises.

Most states in the South-east and South-south, have been grappling with severe security challenges, including the spate of attacks on security agencies.

The motive for attack on the Federal High Court, just like the attacks on security officials, is possibly to weaken state institutions that are in-charge of law and order, so as to create fear and confusion.