Gunmen have attacked the Spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, in his country home of Akokwa, Ideato North local government area of Imo State
The attack happened on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 14.
Ugochinyere’s uncle, Ikeagwuonu, has been shot dead and several others fatally wounded in the attack.
Ugochinyere shared a distressed tweet on Saturday afternoon, asking for help.
He tweeted: “We need help in Akokwa Ideato North LGA Imo State.. My uncle have been killed now.. They are setting everything on fire. Pz help.”
The gunmen, said to be numbering about 50, began shooting sporadically when they arrived, causing people to run in different directions
They also set ablaze all the vehicles within the vicinity.
Footage from the scene shows dead bodies, burnt houses and the charred remains campaign materials at Ugochinyere’s country home.
Reacting to the attack, Omoyele Sowore, tweeted: “I just received a distress call from @IkengaImo in the last few minutes that his house is surrounded by elements believed to be assassins sent by Imo State Govt and his uncle had just been killed. Security agents must protect @IkengaImo of CUPP and ensure his total safety!”
Ugochinyere is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ideator North/South federal constituency of Imo State in the forthcoming elections.
In a statement, the PDP chapter in Imo 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.”
Watch videos from the scene 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
This is the update from the scene of attacks on the spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties, Ikenga Ugochinyere @IkengaImo in Imo state. @PoliceNG in Imo claim they are not aware of the attacks even though they reportedly received distress calls. Unacceptable pic.twitter.com/MGMIcwHlUF
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) January 14, 2023
