By: JENNIFER JOHN
The Department of State Services, DSS, on Thursday, December 22, paraded one Okechukwu Nlewedim, described as the leader of the gang which burnt the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Owerri, Imo State.
Parading the suspect in Owerri, the DSS Commander said the gang led by Nlewedim popularly known as Ejima was involved in burning down of other government facilities, houses and killing of innocent people in the state.
The DSS disclosed that Ejima had been on the wanted list of security agencies until he was arrested along Onitsha Road.
He described him as one of the commanders of the terror gang that ovesees the Njaba Cell and overlaps into Oru West and Orlu local government areas.
He added that he was part of the team that burnt the INEC office and was planning with his gang to burn more INEC offices in the state.
According to the DSS commander, with the support of the state governor, the security agents were poised to ensure that normalcy returns to the state, as they have strategies to go after the criminals, one after the others.
Meanwhile, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has hailed the arrest of Okechukwu Nlewedim.
He regretted that Ejima and his gang have been causing death, pains and destruction in the state.
The governor expressed optimism that with the arrest, the state was getting close to final peace.
Uzodimma spoke at the state head office of the Department of State Services (DSS) when Ejima was paraded by the DSS.
The governor said;”We want to thank God and the security officers and also continue to urge them not to relent, until we bring final peace to the state. I think we are getting close to doing that”, he said.
The governor said the level of destruction Ejima and his gang had caused to Imo State, especially Orlu zone is monumental and unbelievable.
He said the arrest of Ejima will further help the course of investigation, to get to the root of insecurity in the state, providing an opportunity to bring down the violence.
“The important thing now is knowing what is really responsible for the level of killing and destruction that these boys are carrying out in Imo State. Now that we have arrested one of the ring leaders, it will be a lead to arresting more of the leaders, Gov Uzodimma said.
When interviewed by journalists, the suspect mentioned names of their sponsors to include Chinasa Nwori and “High Priest” who he said instruct them to kill army and police personnel for blocking their freedom.
