Ugochinyere’s Uncle, 2 Others Killed As Gunmen Attack CUPP Spokesman

Many gunmen yesterday attacked the country home of spokesman of the  Coalition of United Political Parties, Barr. Ugochinyere Imo.

It was gathered that they killed his uncle who is the PDP candidate for Ideato South and Ideato North federal constituency.

Eyewitnesses said campaign vehicles belonging to the candidate were set ablaze by the invaders during the attack at Akokwa community.

Barr. Imo who confirmed the attack to our correspondent in a message disclosed that his uncle was killed in the attack.

He called for help as his home was under siege.

His words, “Emergency, we need help in Akokwa.. we are under attack in my house in Akokwa.. they have surrounded it and opened fire. We are under attack. Help, help.

“We need help… My uncle has been killed now.. They are setting everything on fire. Please  help.”

In a statement by the PDP issued by the spokesperson, Collins Opuruozor read; “Imo PDP alerts security agencies, Nigerians, international community to sponsored killings, arson going on at the Akokwa residence of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, PDP candidate For Ideato Federal Constituency

“This has resulted in the killing of an undisclosed number of persons. Also, buildings are reported to have been set ablaze.

“Imo PDP calls on security agencies to immediately intervene and quell the attack on our candidate and our Party members at his residence in Akokwa.

“Nigerians and international community are to recall that on December 23, 2022, there was an attack on the convoy of our candidate by clearly-identified agents of the Imo State government. It is shocking that despite our demand for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in that onslaught, nothing has been done by the security till this moment.

“Today represents a dark day for us in Imo PDP and Imo State at large.”

The spokesperson for the police in the state, Michael Abattam was yet to respond to enquiries on the incident.

This was even as gunmen yesterday afternoon killed a member of staff of Ahiazu Mbaise local government area following an attack on people collecting their permanent voters card at Afor Oru.

In a statement, his Assistant, Anderson Achilike said three persons including Ikenga’s uncle were shot dead, adding;”house bombed and set ablaze, cars burnt,  uncle assassinated, whereabouts of numerous family members unknown, Ikenga narrowly survives”.

The gunmen who arrived in a gestapo style started shooting sporadically which forced people running helter-skelter.

The gunmen set ablaze all the vehicles within the vicinity even as thick smoke enveloped the community.

A human rights activist, Okechukwu Nwanguma in a message warned that the development was disturbing news, saying; “There is high fear that harm may befall people there. This is despite the police security I learnt the guy has. It is a huge danger for election if anything happens to that popular guy.”

At the Independent National Electoral Commission collection centre at Afor Oru in Ahiazu Mbaise local government area, gunmen drove straight to the PVC collection centre which is in the chairman’s guest house inside the council secretariat.

The gunmen stopped a car driven by one Mr. John Onuoha, younger brother to late Chief P.C. Onuoha, a prominent politician who hailed from Ihitte-Afoukwu community also in Ahiazu.

The source said; “The gunmen accosted Onuoha and enquired his mission. They thought he was coming to the PVC collection centre. After searching his car, they found only money and perfume but took only the perfume and told him they were after politicians. But he told them he wasn’t one, so they left him and zoomed off.”

Meanwhile, the remains of a slain security guard has been deposited at the morgue.