As the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) terrorist group intensifies its activities in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, another Anambra State lawmaker, Okechukwu Okoye, has fallen to its victim.
Okoye, the lawmaker representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Aguata Constituency II in the Anambra State House of Assembly, was said to have been beheaded, after he and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, were kidnapped on Sunday, along Aguluzigbo road, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.
Although sources called the evildoers ‘gunmen’, recent records have it that IPOB has upped its members killing of fellow Igbo among members of other region and their truck load cows two weeks ago, which only Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sought justice for. These IPOB terrorists, who claimed they were killing those members of other region and their cows in enforcing their open grazing ban and sit-at-home programme, have also not left Igbo politicians.
According to reported eyewitness accounts, Okoye’s head was dumped at Chisco park in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area, on Saturday, six days after he was abducted.
It will be recalled that The DEFENDER in a published article on Friday had said IPOB carries out all its atrocities and still devices a means to deny it does thus government, political and traditional leaders in the region simply reduce the terrorist acts to activities of ‘gunmen’.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident on Saturday night, according to a media report.
Reacting to the murder, Governor Charles Soludo condemned the gruesome killing of the lawmaker and commiserated with his family on the loss.
Soludo, in a statement by his media aide Christian Aburime, described the lawmaker’s killing as heartless and barbaric, saying he received the news with rude shock and deep sadness.
According to him, it is probably the same criminal gang that attacked him and killed three policemen at Isuofia two years ago that is once again on the prowl.
The governor also reassured the people of Anambra State of his administration’s resolve and renewed determination with the security agencies to go all out against the criminals and ensure they are brought to justice.
This is even as he placed a N10 million reward for anyone or group that will avail valuable information that will lead to the immediate arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
“Soludo condoles with his kinsmen of Isuofia, noting that it is probably the same criminal gang that attacked him and killed three policemen at Isuofia two years ago that are once again on the prowl. But they can never cow down Isuofia and Anambra State,” the statement read.
“The governor is still in shock over the barbaric acts against his two kinsmen, vowing that the perpetrators, as well as all criminals operating in Anambra, must be decisively brought to book.
“Governor Soludo has consequently placed N10m reward for anyone or group that will avail valuable information that will lead to the immediate arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act. Anambra will soon be hell for these criminals.
“He wishes to reassure Ndi Anambra of the government’s resolve and renewed determination with the security agencies to go all out against the criminals and ensure they are brought to justice.
“Anambra will win against the forces of darkness. Ndi Anambra should brace up for the all-out war against the criminals.”
Soludo, during a visit to Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the IPOB terrorist group in DSS custody in Abuja last week, was reportedly told by him that he would speak to his member to stop their activities if he could be released. But his case, many watchers of event said, must not take place before release or not would make no difference unless he and his cohorts are made to pass through the judicial process as, according to them, anything out of that will be tantamount to perversion of the course of law.
