Crisis erupted at Owerri North Local Government Area, of Imo State, on Monday as the chairman Dr. Eric Ogwo, and the Secretary of Owerri Municipal Area Council, Felix Nnodi, were reportedly beaten and whisked away from office by 50 security members of the Imo State Security Network.
The security men stormed the premises and forcefully ejected the officials from the council premises. According to them, they were sent by the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Rochas Okorocha and accompanied by the Commissioners of commerce, Sports and Youth.
It was further learnt that the chairman of Owerri North and the Secretary of Owerri Municipal were allegedly abducted and taken to the Government House before being dumped at Shell Camp.
Investigations revealed that the incident might have been fueled by the protracted battle between the state government and the council chairmen.
Confirming the incident, the Secretary of the Imo State chapter of the All Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Ngor-Opkala Council Area, Enyinna Onuegbu, disclosed that hoodlums numbering over 50 stormed Owerri North and kidnapped Ogwo and the secretary of Owerri Municipal and whisked them away to the Government House where they were beaten blue back.
He said: “The police did not carry out the arrest rather it was Mr. Uche Mbanso the Commissioner for Commerce, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Emelu Kenneth and the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Okorocha, in Owerri Zone who led the gang, adding, that the state government directed them to all of us because our tenure had elapsed. After about two hours, my colleagues were taken to the Shell Camp Station and dumped, to make it look like a police action.
“But the police knows that the matter was subjudiced, the Federal High Court had ordered us to maintain status quo and they have no choice but to release my colleagues.’’
Speaking further, Ounegbu hinted that: “This confirms the lack of respect for the rule of law by the government of Okorocha and now that explains why he wants state police.’’
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, Chinedu Ofor, said: “Governor Rochas Okorocha cannot engage thugs to invade a council secretariat, but the tenure of the chairmen had elapsed and they do not have any more business in the council.”
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