Nation
Reps Decry Growing Insecurity, Extrajudicial Killings In Imo
Some members of the House of Representatives from Imo State have decried the alleged extrajudicial killings, rights violation and destruction of property by security operatives following the murder of a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, last Sunday, by gunmen on his way to the airport in Owerri, the state capital.
The lawmaker representing Ahiazu/Ezinitte Federal Constituency, Hon Chinedu Martins; and Hon Bede Eke, who is representing Mbaise/Ngor-Okpala Federal Constituency, both in Imo State, raised the alarm separately, yesterday.
Martins, in a statement titled, ‘A Call for Peace in Imo State’, noted that whole mistake, which is a natural phenomenon, might have been made, “it is still painful and unacceptable to be witnessing through the media, such wanton destruction and gruesome killings, especially the gory sights of lifeless bodies of our beloved ones.”
The lawmaker cited the cases of “such as the young and promising Chidiebere Emereuwa of the Nigeria Air Force, a native of Obizi in my constituency, who was reportedly killed at a check-point near Akachi Junction; another ugly incident of a Germany-based Unachukwu, who allegedly died after being shot on the head at a military check-point near Sam Mbakwe Airport while trying to catch a flight; and of course, the wicked and gruesome murder of an APC chieftain, Ahmed Gulak, who was reportedly in the state a national assignment.”
The statement partly read, “I am deeply pained with the recent happenings in our dear Imo State, where the unthinkable is happening with innocent lives being decimated, business activities crumbling and properties worth billions in naira destroyed with reckless abandon.
“It is not only regrettable that such unfortunate development ensued, but our inability to nip it in the bud before it escalates beyond human control, which is attributable to the confusion in the body-politics that made it extremely difficult for individuals with genuine concern to step-in.
“Such situation always calls for restraint in order not to be misquoted by our motley and overzealous politicians who are always in a haste to wrongly decorate every action including things as sacrosanct as human lives, with partisan coloration.
“However, as a bona-fide citizen of Imo State who is not only in shock but deeply worried, and in my capacity as a representative of the people whose lives are being cut short, I have no other choice than to speak up.”
The Chairman of the Osun State Park Management System (OSTMS), Comrade Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, was reportedly shot by officers of the state police command in the late hours of Monday.
The union, in a statement issued by its Secretary, Mikaela Popoola, in Osogbo, confirmed that its chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody.
According to him, the shooting of the chairman occurred while in police custody, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting call for a thorough investigation.
The union scribe, who reiterated that the chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody, called on members of OSTMS not to take the law into their own hands.
He stressed, “We must maintain peace across the parks while we take the matter up with the appropriate authorities.”
While confirming the shooting, a top Police officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “Alowonle was arrested in connection with the alleged killing of one Oyewale in 2022 and the assault of some residents on Monday night.
“He was shot while attempting to escape and has been taken to a hospital for treatment.”
According to him, Alowonle was maimed by the police gunshot, and a Hummer bus with registration number AWK 480YD, an unregistered Nissan Almera, and a Toyota Sienna with registration number GNN 595 XD were also recovered from him.
“During the arrest, a Barrett pistol, six rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and one expended empty shell were recovered from Alowonle’s private unregistered Toyota Highlander jeep,” the officer said.
“Alowonle and his boys conveyed themselves in a Previn bus with registration number RBC 275XK, but a distress call to the police led to his arrest. He was rearrested at Susi area of Oke-Baale, Osogbo, alongside eight others before being taken to the state police command.”
Meanwhile, all possible efforts made to reach the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, for comment on the incident proved abortive as calls put to her mobile phone were not answered.
The Rivers State Police Command has announced that its operatives neutralised a suspected kidnapper and cultist, identified as Gbarani Bume, in the Luawii Community of Khana Local Government Area (LGA).
Bume, also known as Pelele, was a member of the infamous Iceland cult group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA along with his gang.
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Iringe-Koko said that Pelele and his gang attempted to kidnap a site engineer working in Luawii when the police, acting on a tip-off, swooped in. Upon sighting the police, the suspects opened fire, but Pelele was fatally wounded after a fierce exchange of gunfire and later died.
The statement reads: “The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat crime, neutralising a notorious cultist and kidnapper, Gbarani Bume, a.k.a. Pelele, a native of Bere Community in Khana LGA.
“He was a member of the Iceland Cult Group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA.
“On the 15th of November 2024, operatives from the Bori Division, acting on a tip-off, were mobilised to Luawii Community where Pelele and his gang were attempting to kidnap a site engineer.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a fierce crossfire, during which Pelele was fatally wounded. His accomplices escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from the suspect include one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 10 rounds of live ammunition.”
She added, “An investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the other fleeing gang members and bring them to justice.”
The state police spokesperson stated that this operation underscores the Command’s commitment to tackling crime and ensuring public safety in the state.
