Reports coming in say gunmen have killed the uncle (name yet to be known) of the spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Ugochinyere.
In a seemingly distressed message on Twitter on Saturday afternoon, Ugochinyere said the unknown persons are also setting a house ablaze, suspected to be his residence.
“We need help in Akokwa Ideato North Local Government Area, Imo State. My uncle has been killed now.. They are setting everything on fire. Please help,” he tweeted.
Also in a statement, the People Democratic Party (PDP) chapter in the state confirmed the attack.
The statement which was issued by the party’s spokesperson in the state, Collins Opuruozor, read: “Imo PDP Alerts Security Agencies, Nigerians, International Community To Sponsored Killings, Arson Going On At the Akokwa Residence of Ikenga Ugochinyere, PDP Candidate For Ideato Federal Constituency.
“The PDP in Imo State alerts that, at the moment, there is a well-coordinated armed attack going on at the Akokwa residence of Ikenga Ugochinyere, the candidate of our party for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.
“This has resulted in the killing of undisclosed number of persons. Also, buildings are reported to have been set ablaze.
“Our efforts to get back to our candidate, Ugochinyere, who was present at his residence when this attack began and who had personally alerted us to the attack, has proven abortive. However, a torrent of messages, a while ago, from Ikenga’s close aides bore some deeply pathetic lines like: “Everywhere is on fire! They are killing us! We are going going!”
“Imo PDP calls on security agencies to immediately intervene and quell the attack on our candidate and our party members at his residence in Akokwa.
“Nigerians and international community are to recall that on December 23, 2022, there was an attack on the convoy of our candidate by clearly-identified agents of the Imo State Government. It is shocking that despite our demand for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in that onslaught, nothing has been done by the security till this moment.
“Today represents a dark day for us in Imo PDP and Imo State at large.”
See the videos below:
As I pen this, all the cars in my house have been sent ablaze and there is heavy shooting for the past 25mins. Painfully, as I speak to you, I saw them kill my father's younger brother, Uncle Dan.
I pray and call for urgent help from anybody who can help.
Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere pic.twitter.com/zQlvaaoiF9— Ijeoma Osamor (@IjeOsamor) January 14, 2023
— Ijeoma Osamor (@IjeOsamor) January 14, 2023