Thugs invade Ebonyi courts, molest judges and workers

Illustration: riot in Ebonyi

Youths suspected to be political thugs on Friday in Abakaliki invaded Ebonyi Court complex and disrupted proceedings in the various courts.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), about 1,500 hoodlums besieged the court premises and attacked judges and other judicial workers.

Witnesses said that the thugs invaded the judiciary at about 9 a.m. wielding different types of dangerous weapons and chanting war songs.

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“The activities of the hoodlums disrupted the court proceedings as judges, magistrates, other judicial workers and petty traders within the premises scamper for safety.

They told NAN that “nobody knows the motive behind the invasion, but we gathered that the attack was done to stop political opponents from obtaining court injunctions.’’

NAN reports that the invasion prompted the police to seal the court premises and barricaded the two entrances to the court.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Chris Anyanwu, confirmed the incident.

“The command was alerted on the invasion of the Ebonyi Judiciary complex, we are working to identify the suspected political thugs.

“We are waiting for our men drafted to the venue to maintain law and order at the premises to furnish the office with relevant reports.

“The command will brief the press on the issue very soon,’’ Anyanwu said