v Vehicle shattered with bullets
Despite what appears like a brief interlude as regards the spate of shooting and killings that characterized the state for sometime now and repeated assurances by the government that citizens should go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation, the chairman of Nwangele Interim Management Council, Hon Cosmas Iwuagwu escaped attempt by hoodlums to kidnap him while on a visit to his maternal home at Amaigbo last Sunday.
According to eye witness account, “the IMC chairman who drove himself in his official Hilux vehicle was accosted right in front of the compound of his maternal home by the hoodlums who drove in a Lexus Jeep. They ordered him at gunpoint to follow them and he complied. On getting to where the vehicles were parked, they also ordered him to enter his Hilux and drive along accompanied by one of them. However, the moment he entered the Hilux, he sped off before the person that was to accompany him could gain entrance. They gave him a hot chase while at the same time shooting at his car which was battered with bullets. Having reached a fairly safe distance, with the tyres deflated, he jumped out of the car and ran into the bush from where he shouted and raised alarm that attracted the attention of residents who trooped out in their numbers. At that point, the kidnappers having sensed danger, zoomed off”.
The failed attempt to kidnap the IMC chairman of Njaba LGA has once again brought to the fore, the frightening spate of insecurity in the state, especially in and around the Orlu axis which, seems to have persisted, despite repeated assurances by the state government and the Imo State Police Command, that necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the security of lives and property.
Recall, that the Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper in its June 17, edition reported about how two persons were beheaded in Orsu while the house of Hon Ekene Nnodimele, who represents Orsu state constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly was also burnt. All Progressive Congress APC chieftain in the area, Jonathan Ugochukwu was beheaded.
“Our correspondent who visited the area on Wednesday June 16,2021 morning observed that the country home of the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Cyrain Akaolisa in Awo Idemili was also burnt by yet to be identified persons”.
“The rampaging gun men also burnt the house of the councilor representing Amaebu Ebenatu ward, Clifford Mazi and that of the President General of Amaebu Ebenatu autonomous community, Oliver Ejelonu who escaped”.
“The wife of one of the victims, Mrs Nkechi Ugochukwu told our correspondent that the attackers who invaded their house carried her husband outside, beheaded him, set the house ablaze and fled with his decapacitated head”.
Most people who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “it is about time the state government stopped rhetorics, and propaganda aimed at deceiving the people to believe the dummy that all is well instead of bracing to defend themselves in the event of unforeseen attacks.
When contacted,Comrade Ferdinand Akano,the IMSU alumni president confirmed the report.According to him,he spoke with the IMC chairman who narrated how it happenend.
While condemning the attack,Akano said he sees no rationale for our people to resort to violence or any form of criminality.He called on Imo people to support governor Uzodinma in his effort to curb insecurity in the state.
Meanwhile,a top police source who pleaded anonymity confirmed the sad development.He however declined comment on what police has done to fish out the hoodlums.
