Politics
LINUS Okorie, a former House of Representatives member for Ohaozara Onicha Ivo federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, has allegedly been kidnapped on Sunday by operatives of Ebubeagu in Ebonyi State.
Okorie, who is the Labour Party, LP candidate for Ebonyi South Senatorial seat in the 2023 general election is said to have been tortured by his abductors.
According to report from Vanguard the Labour Party has demanded the immediate release of Linus Okorie, its Senatorial Candidate in Ebonyi South.
The reported has it that Comrade Julious Abure, Labour Party’s national chairman alleged through a statement issued on Monday that Okorie was abducted by the personnel of the South East Vigilante outfit, Ebubeagu.
He said, “It is no longer news that some political actors in some South Eastern states particularly, Ebonyi and Enugu have vowed that Labour Party and its candidates will not be allowed to campaign freely in the zone.
“ This is evident with incessant attacks on members and supporters of the Labour Party and that of our candidates, particularly, our presidential candidate.
“This night attack is viewed by the party as a furtherance of the determination of these political hirelings to frustrate the progressive incursion of the party across the nation and particularly in the South East.
“I therefore call on the Ebonyi state governor, His Excellency, Dave Umahi and the hierarchy of the security agencies particularly, the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State to immediately effect the release of our senatorial prospect, Hon Linus Okorie.“
The party chairman expressed fears that the frequent attack and kidnapping of innocent Nigerians, particularly the political class could have a major consequences in the coming general election.
Abure describes the situation as unfortunate and a threat to democracy.
He further said, “We see it as a threat to our democracy and it should not be allowed to progress or institutionalised.
“I want to recall what happened to our party in Anambra State last year when our governorship candidate, Hon. Obiography Agbasimalo was kidnapped at the heart of campaign and as I speak, nothing has been heard about him. Sadly, this is happening again.
“We therefore call on Inspector General of Police and other agencies responsible for the protection of life and property to rise to the occasion and ensure that Hon Linus Okorie is released.
“As alleged, the Ebubeagu Vigilante security in Ebonyi State is under the strict overlordship of the state authority and is known to carry out orders of the state government, deploying brute force on the people and residents of the state.
“We therefore demand that His Excellency, Governor Dave Umahi must rein in on this Vigilante or any other of the government agents to ensure that intimidation of perceived political opponents ceases, and that political rights of every Nigerian as enshrined in the constitution is respected.
“Finally, we urge the government to give directive for Hon Linus Okorie’s unconditional release from these criminal elements. “
However, the Ebonyi state police command, on Monday disclosed in a statement that Okorie was arrested and not abducted.
In a statement, SP Chris Anyanwu, Spokesman of the Command described the earlier reports as “fake” noting that Linus Okorie was arrested over drug related matters and other offences.
Anyanwu urged the public to desist from painting pictures of insecurity in the state by propagating unfounded rumours.
The statement reads:
“Sequel to initial viral rumours renting the air, cum a Press Release accredited to one Dr David Ogbonna of Linus Okorie CaringHeart Foundation, purporting that the former member of House of Representatives, was abducted on Sunday.
“The State Police Command swung into action and later traced the said Okorie, who had evaded many Police arrests/invitations, to the head office of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit at the Old Government House.
“Police detectives were briefed on why he was arrested which includes; his activities and utterances that incited and provoked the violence that engulfed Onicha Community which led to suspected gunmen to unleash mayhem in the area in 2021.
“Hence, the case has now been taken over by the Police Command for a scrupulous investigation.
“Secondly, Okorie was severally invited by the Security and Intelligence Bureau of the Command over a petition dated, March 23, authored by the State’s Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, alleging that he was spreading fake news against Gov Dave Umahi.
“When invited by the SIB over the false allegations/petition, Okorie in his characteristic pompous manner refused vehemently to report. Rather he chose to file fallacious suits against the Police Command.
“It is also pertinent to mention that Okorie also have a pending case in which he is implicated in a drug-related offence where the suspects purported to be his agents were arrested for Hard drug sales and use at his City Hub Inn, Mile 50, Abakaliki.”
KN
Tags: Dave Umahi Julious Abure Labour Party Linus Okorie SP Chris Anyanwu
