Cut in his prime…

Killing of an activist causes outrage in Imo

FRIDAY, April 10, was a day of joy and merriment for the late Ugonna Damian Emereonye, who hailed from Umuehie Nkwo, Ubahu Eze, Akatta, in Oru East Local Council of Imo State.

He had moved round the community and the entire wards in Oru East Local council, canvassing for the support of the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the governorship and State House of Assembly polls, which took place the following day, particularly, the PDP’s governorship standard bearer in the state, Chief Emeka Ihedioha.

He had also been the leader of the sacked 1000 workers sacked by the state Governor Rochas Okorocha on resumption of office . He, in agreement with other victims, had floated an association to reclaim their jobs, but to no avail.

The immediate past governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, had made a job gesture of 10,000 jobs scheme, employing the number of graduates before he left office.

They were not lucky afterwards as they were sacked by the incumbent, Chief Rochas Okorocha, on assumption of office in May 29.

After fruitless efforts by the victims, under the leadership of the late Emereonye for the restoration of their jobs, they resorted to other means of livelihood. The slain young man, in his prime, was killed on the eve of the election, after a vigorous and extensive campaign for the PDP’s governorship standard-bearer and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha.

His aim, according to feelers, was the commitment and resolve of Ihedioha, based on his campaign promise, of restoring the jobs of the 10,000 sacked by Okorocha, if he won the governorship polls.

He was also reported to have sent bulk text messages to his members, hours before the polls, to remember the resolve of Ihedioha to restore their jobs and cast their votes massively for the PDP candidate.

According to sources, unknown to the deceased, at about 8:00pm, two men wearing masks and riding a Yamaha Mate motorcycle with Registration Number IMO QD 415 WER, were trailing him and they followed him into his room in his house and shot him dead, just as he alighted from a vehicle that brought him back from Owerri, the Imo State capital, where he had gone to prepare for the elections.

The deceased’s mother was said to be busy preparing food for her son, when she suddenly heard the sound of gun- shots. She came out with her daughter, chased the assailants, courageously unmasking the hoodlums. According to the source, Ugonna’s mother and sister, were attacked by the assassins with dangerous weapons.

They were said to have exhausted their bullets on their victim. The duo of mother and daughter were left on the ground while the assassins ran away. An unconfirmed source accused a leader and a member of a security network outfit of being culpable.

The President of Orluzurumee Youth Assembly, Precious Nwadike, condemned the act, calling for investigation to ensure that the culprits were brought to book and made to face the appropriate sanction.

When contacted on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in Imo State Police Command, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said he heard about the matter, stating that it was yet to be brought to his table formally, by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He said: “They might have reported the matter to Oru East Police Division, but they are yet to let me know. Sometimes, the State CID writes and does not copy me.”

The Guardian gathered that the deceased, with one Kenneth, had a few days ago appeared on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), 100.5 Heartland F.M, Owerri, on its programme, Issues of the Moment, expressing their disgust over their sack in the 10,000 jobs saga. Ugonna’s death was said to have been felt by both Okorocha and Ihedioha, who have been deeply touched by the tragedy.