Again, unknown gunmen raze Imo commissioner father’s house

This is the second time hoodlums are torching the commissioner’s property.

Pointblanknews.com reports that the Commissioner confirmed the ugly development to newsmen in Owerri, on Monday.

So far, Akaolisa had suffered an attack twice. Other state officials who had suffered attacks in the hands of criminals include the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Ford Ozumba.  Local Government headquarters of Orlu, Orsu LGAs and police stations have also been razed.

Expressing his disgust at the fate that befell him, Akaolisa recalled that the Igbo are hardworking people who through their years of toils put up structures and leave developmental strides in their communities of origin in line with the philosophy;  “akụ Ruo ụlọ, a mara one we ya.

“Through my many years of struggle, I have managed to put a block on another to build a befitting house for my family. My aged father also has a house he built through his sweat. Today, both buildings are in rubbles and ashes – our fellow Igbo burnt them. Firstly, last year, these arsonists burnt my country home in Obibi, Awo-Idemili, Orsu LGA of Imo State for no just cause

“This year again, they returned and this time, they perfected the complete burning of even the blocks/bricks. And last night, to my utter consternation, they levelled my father’s house. This is a house my father built by himself – the life-toil of an aged man.

“In other words, I wish to put on record that my family house is destroyed. This was after they used a truck to cart all the properties: fridges TVs, bed/foams, generator sets and other household materials. What are my crimes, and who did I offend? And what were my father’s offences? And I dare ask, where is the Igbo spirit? This is a direct affront to the ‘akụ ruo ụlọ’ spirit. Who will invest in Ala Igbo nay Orsu LGA today under this type of atmosphere?

“Other ungodly acts are the sacking and carting away of all the Police presence and armouries in Orsu LGA, the kidnapping and killing of well-to-do individuals and security operatives. This attendant scare has become a daily phenomenon in my Local Government Area.

“Today, these gunmen (Codenamed Ụmụ Ọma, under the guise of freedom fighters) have continued to demand huge sums of money from mourning families who wish to bury their loved ones and the likes. It is now strictly business! These gunmen have almost made a god of themselves, killing and cannibalising at will, in my area. But believe me, they will not succeed, with our voices up and collaborative efforts.”

He recalled the arson ongoing in Orsu council; the complete burning of the LGA Secretariat, destruction of the house of his colleague – Chief Prince Ford Ozumba, the Hon Commissioner, Imo State Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity, the house of Hon. Ekene Nnodumele, the member representing Orsu State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly.

“There are also houses of other political leaders which have been razed in my area so far”, he lamented.