By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Imo Stat, has named former governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, and his son-in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu, as sponsors of kidnapping and banditry in the state.
Governor Uzodimma had earlier threatened to name the faces behind the menace of kidnapping and banditry in the state during a stakeholders’ meeting today.
The Imo stakeholders meeting was actually slated for 12:00 noon today January 4, 2021 at the Government House, Owerri.
But in a statement ahead of the meeting signed by the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, it was announced that some suspects in police detention have named Senator Okorocha and Nwosu as their sponsors.
The statement made available to journalists via email read thus:
“Plot by those believed to be fueling insecurity, particularly kidnapping, banditry, arson and cannibalism in Imo State ahead of January 4, 2022 Imo Stakeholders meeting got to a head on Monday with false news of the alleged arrest of the security officers attached to Governor Hope Uzodimma.
“Governor Uzodimma, it is believed, will use the Stakeholders meeting to expose the identities of those behind insecurity and other forms of criminality in Imo State.
“This has prompted Imo citizens to become more curious to discover the identities of those undermining their peace and prosperity.
“Thus, the current media frenzy by both Rochas Okorocha and Uche Nwosu appears to be strengthening the notion of their culpability.
“To discredit the government and undermine the peace which the Governor has achieved so far, as was evident in the large number of Imo people who came back home from around the world for Christmas and New Year festivities, the duo have resorted to publishing falsehood yet again about security officers in the State Government House.
“Their claim of the arrest and detention of a certain Shaba, whom they falsely allege to be the CSO to the Imo State Governor, is strange as the Governor’s CSO is not known by the name of Shaba both officially and otherwise.
“In addition, no security officer in the governor’s security team was either arrested or is currently unaccounted for.
“As such, the entire story can best be described as a poorly scripted fabrication aimed at misleading the unsuspecting public.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Okorocha and Nwosu have been specifically mentioned by suspects who are in the custody of security agents, as being sponsors of kidnapping and banditry in Imo State, using their relationship with former ex-militants to perpetrate the crimes.
“Rather than clear their names, they appear bent on using both overt and covert means to blackmail the Police High Command, which legitimately arrested Uche Nwosu.
“They are also actively seeking to dent the image of the fine security officers attached to the Governor of Imo State.
“The public must be informed that the entire report is false and a failed attempt to frustrate the Imo Stakeholders meeting taking place on Tuesday.
“The mass of Imo people, who are undoubtedly peaceful and fun-loving, are enjoined to discountenance the serial falsehood that continues to be churned out by the embattled duo.
“The focus and direction of the Gov. Uzodimma-led government, it must be emphasized, will continue to be about the wellbeing of the people of the State, no matter what it takes.”
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