Police: we did not shoot at him
Tony Icheku in Owerri
The Labour Party governorship candidate in Imo State, Senator Athan Achonu, yesterday,– accused the Tigerbase Squad, an anti-kidnapping unit of Imo State Police Command of shooting at his convoy as they drove to St Peter’s Anglican Church, Obibiezena, in Owerri West LGA.
However, in his reaction the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Imo State, Mr. Henry Okoye, dismissed the allegations saying the team of policemen who stopped the LP governorship candidate were only on duty to provide security for Governor Hope Uzodimma.
“Governor Uzodimma informed the Police of his movement to the area, but the LP candidate did not, and the Police had to stop him in order to prevent confrontation between their supporters. No, the Police did not– shoot at him,” Okoye said.
Achonu, told newsmen that he was on his way to attend the church’s Synod to honour the invitation letter extended to him, but the Policemen allegedly opened fire on his vehicles, saying he cannot be allowed to proceed beyond their checkpoint as Uzodimma was in the Church.
According to him the governor was later confirmed not to be in the premises
He explained that when his convoy got to Orie Obibiezena, a road block mounted with an armoured personnel carrier and another Siena branded in All Progressive Congress (APC) colours stopped his convoy, and the police started shooting at his convoy.
They shot at his wrangler jeep, he further alleged.
“They fired several shots at my vehicle, but my Jeep is armoured plated and the bullets did not penetrate. I can identify that they were led by one CSP Ola, the same police officer who led thugs to beat up the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.
“I had to physically confront them because I cannot understand why I cannot be allowed to attend a Church service in Imo State. I had my Chief Security Officer call the State Director of DSS, who in turn called the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Barde. The CP spoke to CSP Ola, but Ola refuses to obey him,” he added.
The LP flagbearer further repeated his call to President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police that the November 11 governorship election cannot be free and fair as long as Barde remained in the State.
“He must go, officers like Ola must go with him, they have been compromised and and no more willing to do their lawful duties,” he added.
Achonu, further alleged that there were moves to arrest members of his Campaign Organisation a day before the election in order to distabilise him.
“They have thugs in Police uniform, they are doing everything to cause fears among the people so that they will not come out to vote, but we are more emboldened than ever.
“But we are calling on the Army and the DSS to come and protect the Imo people, unless they want to tell us that the Imo people have been abandoned,” he said.
According to the PPRO, Henry Okoye, the Police only advised Achonu not to campaign in the area at the same time the candidate of the APC was campaigning in same area
The police spokesperson explained: “Nobody attacked the Labour Party candidate. We only advised him not to campaign in the area the same time the APC candidate was campaigning in the area at the same time to avoid clash of interest and possible breakdown of law and order in the state.
“The Labour Party candidate did not inform us about campaigning in the area but the APC candidate informed us and we were there to provide security.
“The Commissioner of Police advises political players in the State to stop misinforming the public. This misinformation is capable of escalating things which may lead to breakdown of law and order in Imo State,” he said
