Gunmen Attack Imo LP Candidate’s Hometown, Raze Houses

Gunmen on Saturday attacked Amagu Ihube, the hometown of the Imo State House of Assembly candidate of the Labour Party, Nnaemeka Obiaraeri, in the Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.

Obiaraeri’s house and cars, and the houses of his father and uncle were burnt by the gunmen who were said to have stormed the community in the early hours of Saturday.

The LP candidate, in a statement, blamed the attack on the failure of the All Progressives Congress-led governments in the state and at the centre to address the “terrible state of insecurity in Nigeria”.

The statement read in part, “Unknown gunmen (surely known to their sponsors), went to my hometown in Amagu Ihube to burn down my house and burn to ashes my operational factory vehicles parked there.

“They also destroyed my father’s house and that of my uncle… My aged mum and siblings are in trauma!!! Three Hilux trucks loaded with bandits and killers, went on a spree, burning houses and maiming people without anyone stopping them.

“I don’t know who I offended and why anyone will target me for destruction. I have not eaten anyone’s yam or fish.”

Obiaraeri, however, said the attack reinforced the call on Imo residents to support the Labour Party.

The statement added, “This is another evidence of the failure of the APC governments in Imo State and Aso Rock, to live up to their oath of office of protecting lives and property of law-abiding Nigerians.

“This again reinforces our call on Nigerians to pick their PVCs and help vote in Peter Obi and Datti Baba Ahmed of the Labour Party as the next President and vice president of Nigeria.”

However, the Imo State Police Command said it had beefed up security in the area.

The police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, while confirming the attack, said, “Yes, it’s true and we have set up robust patrols around that axis to fish out those that are involved in that attack.”