Ihedioha Declares ‘Mob Action’ Against Okorocha, Says Arrest Him Wherever You See Him In Imo

Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State, on Thursday subtly declared a mob action against his estranged predecessor, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, ordering citizens of Imo to pin the former governor down where ever he is sighted in the state.

The order came following the alleged assault on a government official, Mr Jasper Ndubuaku who was reportedly attacked by thugs in Okorocha’s residence.

A statement by Secretary to State Government (SSG), Mr Uche Onyeaguocha, ordering the citizen’s arrest, said that the state had also placed Okorocha on security watch and urged Imo citizens to arrest him and alert the government whenever they found him in the state.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a video, trending online on Thursday, captured some thugs beating Ndubuaku at Okorocha’s residence on Spibatt Avenue, Owerri.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Rabiu Ladodo, and SSG confirmed the incident to newsmen at a joint news briefing in Owerri.

They announced that a citizen’s arrest had been declared on Okorocha over the incident.

They said that the Senator representing Imo West would be arrested and prosecuted anytime he entered the state.

NAN reports that the incident was happening barely 24 hours after traditional rulers in the state issued a stern warning to Okorocha against disrupting the activities of the recovery team.

The commissioner of police said that police would investigate the senator’s involvement in the matter.

Narrating his ordeal to NAN, Ndubuaku alleged that he was beaten at Okorocha’s residence and thrown into a gutter by some thugs.

He further alleged that he was first held hostage for some hours by the thugs in the presence of security men attached to Okorocha’s residence.

He said that the recovery team obtained a court order to search Okorocha’s house.

“We got a court order to recover stolen properties kept in Okorocha’s house and when we got to his house on Thursday, armed thugs attacked us.

“There are twenty government vehicles in his house, four Speed Boats, one movable Crain and generator sets, which we went to recover before the incident.

“We will not give up the battle, we will go back to his house because the property belongs to Imo government,” Ndubuaku said.

Relating to the government’s order, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, the Special Assistant on Media to Okorocha, said the recovery committee was attacked by the former governor’s sympathisers and passersby.

He said that the recovery team went to Okorocha’s house without a court order, adding that they invaded Okorocha’s residence with no fewer than 50 thugs