Pandemonium erupted in the Awada area of Onitsha, Anambra State, following a violent invasion of the Awada Central Landlords Association office by a combined team of the Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA) and Agunechemba Squad.
The armed group allegedly abducted a female clerk and two vigilante operatives while destroying properties worth millions of naira.
Eyewitnesses reported that the SASA operatives, notorious for patrolling with pestles and machetes, stormed the area and launched an assault, vandalizing vigilante vehicles, motorcycles, office furniture, and security gadgets.
They also made away with two English Pump Action rifles, mobile phones, and an undisclosed sum of money belonging to the landlords’ association.
The attack reportedly stemmed from a confrontation between SASA operatives and angry residents of Orsumoghu Street, Awada, who mistook them for kidnappers.
In the heat of the clash, vigilante operatives intervened, only to become targets themselves.
Uchechukwu Jude Ukachi, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Awada Central Landlords Association, condemned the attack, describing it as a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of his security agency, Jufuso Security.
He revealed that the SASA men initially fled the scene after being overwhelmed by angry residents, abandoning their official Hummer bus.
When he attempted to return the seized vehicle key, SASA retaliated by invading the landlords’ office, ransacking rooms, and abducting three individuals.
The Vice Chairman of the Landlords Association, Chief Walter Ohiri, accused SASA of routinely terrorizing Awada residents, extorting innocent civilians under the guise of security enforcement, with bribes ranging from ₦150,000 to ₦400,000.
Meanwhile, the state police have confirmed the incident, with Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stating that law enforcement has restored order and initiated discussions to resolve the crisis.
As tensions remain high, Ukachi has warned that any further attacks on his security personnel will be met with fierce resistance.
