No fewer than 50 gunmen reportedly attacked the residence of the spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Ugochinyere, and killed his uncle.
According to Ugochinyere in a seemingly distressed tweet on Twitter Saturday afternoon, the unknown persons are also setting a house ablaze, suspected to be his residence.
“We need help in Akokwa Ideato North Local Government Area, Imo State. My uncle has been killed now.. They are setting everything on fire. Please help,” he tweeted.
A political correspondent and a relative of the victim identified on Twitter as Ijeoma Osamor, confirmed the incident on Saturday.
“As I pen this, all the cars in my house have been sent ablaze and there is heavy shooting for the past 25mins. Painfully, as I speak to you, I saw them kill my father’s younger brother, Uncle Dan.
“I pray and call for urgent help from anybody who can help. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.”
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, also said he “just received a distress call from @IkengaImo in the last few minutes that his house is surrounded by elements believed to be assassins sent by Imo State Govt and his uncle had just been killed. Security agents must protect @IkengaImo of CUPP and ensure his total safety!”
A series of video footages showed dead bodies, burnt houses, vehicles and campaign materials at Ugochinyere’s country home.
In one of the videos trending on social media, a man narrating the incident, said several vehicles had been destroyed, and Ikenga’s house razed.
“They have destroyed his house, they have destroyed his vehicle, at his compound here in Akokwa. They came with arms and guns, they killed one of his security (men), they shot so many people; happening right now at Ikenga’s compound,” the voice narrated.
In a statement, the PDP chapter in the state confirmed the attack.
The statement which was issued by the party’s spokesperson in the state, Collins Opuruozor, read, “Imo PDP Alerts Security Agencies, Nigerians, International Community To Sponsored Killings, Arson Going On At the Akokwa Residence of Ikenga Ugochinyere, PDP Candidate For Ideato Federal Constituency.
“The PDP in Imo State alerts that, at the moment, there is a well-coordinated armed attack going on at the Akokwa residence of Ikenga Ugochinyere, the candidate of our party for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.
“This has resulted in the killing of undisclosed number of persons. Also, buildings are reported to have been set ablaze.
“Our efforts to get back to our candidate, Ugochinyere, who was present at his residence when this attack began and who had personally alerted us to the attack, has proven abortive.
However, a torrent of messages, a while ago, from Ikenga’s close aides bore some deeply pathetic lines like: “Everywhere is on fire! They are killing us! We are going going!”
Although the reason for the attack is yet to be ascertained, a tweep @Mokezika said Ugochinyere was attacked because “he exposed fraudulent INEC voters card registration in IMO State and the stealth law suit again INEC deployment of BVAS for 2023 election in same IMO state. Since then IKENGA have been hunted by the obvious he who is behind these fraud. He cried out and yet this.”
Another tweep, @bigdammy_ who weighed in on the incident, stated: “This is serious. Insecurity is hurting everyone. The security forces should take steps in securing every part of the SE. Also, Igbos need to take a stand against this “unknown gun men” – IPOB & ESN fueling insecurity. Violence does not birth peace but destruction & huge losses.”
