An Onitsha-based businessman and two other men described as suspected thugs have been arrested by the Anambra State Police Command in connection with an alleged attack and damage to the recently commissioned Onitsha South Fire Service Station.
The arrests followed a directive by the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, after he was informed of the incident by the Mayor of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Chief Emeka Joseph Orji.
The three suspects are currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka, where they are expected to be investigated in connection with the alleged incident.
One of the suspects, Chief Sabest Uchenna Uzoeto, is an Onitsha-based businessman who claims ownership of the Ezinwanne Shopping Mall, a disputed property located along Silas Works Road, Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Uzoeto has become publicly associated with the dispute over the property between him and the Onitsha South Local Government Area, led by its mayor, Chief Emeka Joseph Orji.
The dispute over the property is currently before the Anambra State High Court.
Confirming the arrests, Orji told our reporter that the first attack on the fire service station occurred on September 7, 2026.
He alleged that on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Uzoeto returned to the location with two other men and that the group pulled down parts of the walls of the fire station building.
According to a statement issued by the Secretary of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Mr Paul Onuachalla, Uzoeto and the two other men were arrested following the alleged destruction of the fire service facility.
The statement reads:
“Chief Sabest Uchenna Uzoeto was on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, arrested alongside two other men following an alleged incident of malicious damage to a Fire Service station belonging to the Onitsha South Local Government Council along Silas Works Road, Onitsha.
“According to information made available on the development, the council reported the incident to the police after the alleged damage, prompting the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, PSC, MNIPS, to direct that Uzoeto be arrested and investigated in connection with the matter.
“The two other men, who were described by the council as suspected armed thugs, were also traced and arrested after council officials reportedly located their hideout.
The three suspects were subsequently taken into police custody.
“They are currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka, following the directive of the Commissioner of Police, pending further investigation and possible arraignment before a court.”
The arrests come amid the continuing dispute over the ownership and control of the property on Silas Works Road, with the matter still pending before the Anambra State High Court.
The allegations against the suspects remain subject to police investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.
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