SUSPECTED gunmen, numbering about 20, last week Friday, invaded the council headquarters of Ojoto, in Idemmili South Local Government Area of Anambra State and made away with the mace, the symbol of authority for the legislative arm.
According to a source (name withheld), the suspected gunmen invaded the council in an unnumbered Hilux van with siren at about 3.00p.m and rushed to the legislative chambers, where the mace was positioned.
The source reported that the gunmen made away with the mace after shooting indiscriminately into the air to scare the lawmakers, who were in session and trying to stop them.
It was learnt that four men came into the council chambers to forcefully take away the mace while other members of the gang, numbering about 16, waited outside and embarked on a shooting spree.
Members of the council ran for their lives in the ensuing melee and condemned the act of invasion, while calling on the state Commissioner for Police to investigate the incident.
The development followed the impeachment of the speaker of the legislative house, Amaka Obidigbo, from Awka Etiti ward one last week Wednesday.
The majority leader, Marcel Ezeugo, took over after the vote of no confidence was passed on the speaker.
The police spokesperson, Emeka Chukwuemeka, however, said he was yet to be briefed as of the time of going to press, even as efforts to reach the Ojoto divisional police officer failed.
However, the allegedly impeached speaker, Obidigbo and other councillors confirmed the invasion by gunmen at separate interviews with the Nigerian Tribune.
Obidigbo, when contacted, insisted that she remained the speaker, saying due process was not followed in the alleged impeachment.
She said she was not in the council when the incident happened, adding that she was in Awka.
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