The leadership of Orlu Political Action Committee, OPAC has called on the governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodinma and the Federal government to as a matter of urgency set up a probe panel to investigate the burning of a Hotel in Okporo and houses in Obor, saying that the way and manner the hotel and the houses in the area were burnt raise serious concerns and suspicion.
In a release signed by the Publicity secretary of OPAC, Comrade Victor Nwachukwu, a copy of which was made available to this reporter the group expressed worry over the excruciating economic effect of the development, adding that investors and well to do business men and women in Orlu zone are fleeing the city in droves while offices and few industries in the area are closing for fear of being attacked.
OPAC explained that going by the report published in the newspapers, the owner of the hotel, Mr Chinonso Uba was at no time invited by the police or by any other security agent for questioning before they invaded and burnt his hotel, house and that of his father, including his warehouse.
“It calls for concern that a man who was before now investigated by the police and exonerated by the police could suddenly be attacked by soldiers without inviting him to explain his involvement in any criminal act as alleged”.
The group also said that the pattern of burning houses and people’s investments in Orlu should be investigated. It said, “Law enforcement agents should not be seen embarking on extra-judicial actions in tackling issues of insecurity. Those culpable should be held and be made to face the law. Not for innocent people in the area who are already impoverished by virtue of the rising insecurity in Orlu”.
They specifically pleaded with Governor Uzodinma to save the local government areas in Orlu Zone which are now under serious attack, either from unknown gun men or security operatives who claim that their actions are triggered by the activities of the unknown gun men.
It would be recalled that the Soldiers had recently stormed Okporo Community in Orlu Local Government area of Imo State and burnt a hotel owned by Mr Chinonso Uba, a business man in the area. It was also gathered that after burning the hotel, they proceeded to Uba’s house in Obor, burnt it and that of his father.
