By Charles Igbo
The insecurity in Imo State entered a dangerous phase on Saturday, April 24, when the Omuma country home of the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, was attacked and set on fire.
Omuma is in Orlu Zone of the State. Both Governor Uzodinma and former Governor Rochas Okorocha come from the same Zone, and have, especially, in recent weeks, engaged each other in serious political brick-brats.
The Zone had, also, recently, witnessed violence between Security agents, operatives of the IPOB- backed Eastern Security Network, ESN, and rogue Fulani herdsmen.
The attack on Governor Uzodinma’s country home happened in broad day light, at about 9.00am. The hoodlums, according to eyewitnesses, came in three buses and were in black uniform. Accompanying them was a tipper filled with used tyres.
Unconfirmed reports say a fatality was recorded, as well as a number of injuries.
There has been no confirmation from the Imo Police Command, but a statement from the Imo State Government, signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, confirmed the attack.
While acknowledging a number of injuries, the statement said that gallant Security Personnel at the Governor’s home repelled the attackers, and stopped them from recording maximum damage as had probably been planned.
While investigation into this dangerous incident has started, the Government says it is politically motivated
Video images recorded of the attack showed plumes of smoke and angry tongues of fire. At least, three vehicles and a long coaster bus were on fire.
A number of young men, apparently, from the area, were seen, wondering how the hoodlums gained access and, were frantically, asking for buckets of water, and a call to the fire service.
The Imo Government’s statement reads in full:
ATTACK ON IMO GOVERNOR’S COUNTRY HOME REPELLED
“Gallant security operatives, this morning, repelled an attack on the Omuma country home of the Governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma.
“At about 9am today, Saturday, April 24th, a group of hoodlums numbering about 15, driving in a motorcade of three vehicles, accompanied by a tipper loaded with used tyres, stormed the country home of the Governor in Omuma, Oru East LGA, and attempted to burn down the house.
“However, vigilant security operatives attached to the Governor’s house successfully repelled the attack and consequently minimised the damage they had planned to unleash.
“In the cross fire that ensued, a few casualties were recorded. Preliminary investigation suggests that the foiled attack may have been politically sponsored
“The Government has directed the relevant security agencies to expedite investigation on the incident and promptly apprehend the sponsors and their agents and bring them to justice”
Many Imolites who spoke to this magazine in Owerri, Saturday morning, are agreed that the attack on Uzodinma’s country home has raised the ante of insecurity in the State, and pushed it to a dangerous level. They fear a number of high profile politicians in the State might suffer the same fate. Noted one of them who pleaded anonymity: “It does not matter from where this attack came, but this is dangerous, and no Politician can claim to be safe now. Our people are copy-cats. This could become the norm in the State. Watch out.”
Imo State, as other four South-east states, has recorded a rise in insecurity.
Most recently, Security Personnel have been killed and, Police facilities have been attacked. The most daring was the attack, on Easter Monday, of the Headquarters of the State Police Command and the Correctional Centre in Owerri. During that attack, 1,844 prisoners were set free by the hoodlums who, also, set fire on buildings. They did the same at the Police Headquarters, released detainees, razed buildings, and set on fire about 50 vehicles, including Police operational vehicles.
Till date, only a little over 180 of the prisoners have either returned on their own, or apprehended by Security agents.
Governor Uzodinma had disclosed, at the time, that the hoodlums wanted to attack the Government House, but were repelled by security agents guarding it.
The State Government initially blamed IPOB/ESN for that attack, but recanted a couple off days later, and blamed it on disgruntled politicians.
