I’m writing this, particularly because of the growing insecurity in Imo state, a state that has not known peace since the past 10-15 years. Within these years, kidnapping in the state has been taken to an unimaginable level. I am compelled to write even when I’m not exactly in the mood to write, because the most shocking and unexpected has happened. The one time peaceful Oguta, the blue-lake- town has been turned into an Armageddon, a home for kidnappers and mutinying. The state has continued to live in perpetual fear because no week comes with good news. Every week has a gloomy day in Imo. When will this end? What is life worth in Imo state? What is life worth in Nigeria?
In nostalgia, I wish to see the old Oguta, I want to live in the onetime peaceful community. Oguta people are predominantly fishermen and civil servants, and had in the past been contended with the little they had acquired from their occupation. Justice Oputa is a typical example. His credibility is to a fault. Why is everything turning oily? Where is justice? Where is peace?
I read with many emotions, the story first published on DailyPost about the kidnapping and subsequent killing of Charlyboy’s cousin, Mr. Emeka Aseme in the same Imo state. Emeka, certainly was not the only person who had fallen to the men on mask, as over 10 Imo idegenes have lost their lives in recent times to kidnappers operating in the state. We would recall that only in January, the state Deputy Governor’s protocol officer, Chief Laz Anyanwu was killed, and until now, no traces have been made on who the killers are. Emenike Ihekwoaba, the Principal Secretary to Imo State Deputy Governor was also kidnapped and up till now, nothing much has been heard in that regard.
The likes of former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Chioma Ogoke, former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Godfrey Dikeocha, Ugoeze Millicent Odimegwu and former News Editor of Imo Broadcasting Corporation, Chief Ndubuizu Ugorji, were all victims of kidnapping. Yet, the kidnappers are still having their feast and fun in the state, with no threat coming from any quarters, not even from the police. The worst of it is that the Imo people appear to be comfortable with this spate of kidnapping.
Of course, one cannot easily forget the 82-year-old Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, Christiana Okere and Nollywood actress, Miss Nkeiru Sylvanus, whose star shone and were lucky to have been released by their abductors. The picture I get is that not even a single soul is safe in Imo state, not even the Governor himself can beat his chest in that direction.
The point is that, the last one has broken Charlyboy’s shoulders, and sources said he has been up and down, talking with relevant security bodies in an attempt to return peace to his hometown. His unsettled state of mind and body has become more complicated following the ongoing protest in Imo state over the killing of his cousin. Will anything positive, come out of this one? We have heard that about five of Aseme’s killers have been arrested and one is currently on the run, is it now because it has to do with Charlyboy and his recent parley with the IG of Police? Of course, I saw him in Port-Harcourt during the last police games in the garden city. The only thing he owes the Oguta people as well as the entire Imo state is to use his contact to deal with these criminals.
I have also gathered that the late Emeka was one philanthropist who had not only given the Imo youth hope, but had employed over a thousand of them. What could have prompted the kidnappers into killing him after about 8million naira had been released by the family for his ransom. It is obvious that the devil now lives in our midst.
The funny, yet unfortunate thing about the entire scenario is that Emeka would have survived this kidnapping thing, if not for the nonchalant attitude of the Nigeria police. Sources have disclosed that the hotel where Emeka was kidnapped is just a stone throw from the police station in the area. It was even alleged that the three police officers who were guarding the hotel got engaged in a gun battle with the criminals before they were finally overpowered and killed, while they whisked Emeka away in his own vehicle. Meanwhile, while the battle lasted, the police station, just a few metre away from the hotel never responded. This should form part of the questions Charlyboy and others should put forth before the police. I urge him and other well-meaning Imo indigenes who still believe in our dear Imo state to work with the police while ensuring that peace returns to the once peaceful Imo state.
I read recently in one of Charlyboy boy’s columns when he wrote about the need for the Nigerian masses to rise against criminals, as the police alone cannot solve the spate of insecurity and killings in the country. It should not even be Charlyboy, the IG of police or the Commissioner of police’s job to fight kidnappers in the country. It should be a wakeup call to all Nigerians who should rise against insecurity in the land. The police too should understand that security situation in the land demands utmost cooperation from the people in as much as they also need the people to be able to work. The ordinary man will hesitate to divulge certain information to the police if all he gets at the end is a jail term. It has happened in Nigeria so many times. Majority of Nigerians in prison custody today know little or nothing about the crime they are being held for. This can create fear in the mind of people who would ordinarily give sensitive security information to the police. The police too should realize the need to use social crusaders in various states, including the FCT to mobilize Nigerians against kidnapping and other security related issues. Enough of this sleepless night, enough of the tears, enough of the fears, enough is enough!!!
I heard Charlyboy has resolved to go into this mobilization having been hit by the recent death of his brother. It appears to be a difficult decision, but it is achievable, it’s possible. Even though I fear that many of his kinsmen may leave him at the warfront, I challenge him to go all out in this campaign, and never to be stopped by any obstacle. This is the right time to make the change we so desire. There is no other time for us. We need the change, and we need it terribly.
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