Ex-Imo NUJ boss tackles govt for allegedly shielding criminals
A former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Imo State Council, Ben Osuagwu, has alleged that the administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma is allegedly overlooking individuals involved in criminal activities at the state Environmental Transformation Commission.
He alleged that the government might have inadvertently armed these individuals to engage in looting and other malicious activities under the guise of environmental sanitation, targeting vulnerable citizens, including widows and the poor.
In a statement made available to South-East Punch, Osuagwu urged the state government to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the recent looting at the Toronto Market in Owerri, where ENTRACO operatives allegedly broke into shops and stalls, stealing groceries and other goods.
Osuagwu emphasized, “It is imperative that the government initiates the process of imprisoning these ENTRACO personnel who have turned to armed criminals, looting the goods of widows and the poor under the pretext of maintaining environmental sanitation.
“The government should, as a matter of urgency, arrest all individuals involved in the looting of goods belonging to poor traders at the Toronto Market.
The manner in which these government-sanctioned criminals broke into locked shops and stalls, making away with goods including money, handsets, grinding machines, and bags of rice, is utterly absurd.”
“All elements involved in this act of lawlessness must be swiftly rounded up and handed over to law enforcement agencies to put an end to this menace.”
He stressed that no responsible government would tolerate such egregious acts of lawlessness.
Osuagwu demanded that the government intervene immediately, directing these criminal elements to return the stolen goods and money to the rightful owners within 24 hours.
He expressed dismay that the stolen items might have been taken to the families of these individuals, who would then claim ignorance of their children’s actions, and reiterated that the goods, including every item, must be returned.
Osuagwu concluded that if the traders were operating in unauthorized areas, the law should take its course, but under no circumstances should government-armed individuals break into shops and steal goods.
This incident, according to him, was not isolated to the Toronto Market but occurred in all markets in Owerri Municipal and its environs, necessitating an immediate intervention.
However, when called on phone for reaction the Chief Press Secretary to Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, Mr. OguwuikeNwachukwu declined comments saying
“Idon’t want to meddle into the issue. I don’t want to react on the matter please. Who is he to meddle in the activities of the government?”
