Security
Police reveal details of how hoodlums bombed Uzodimma’s house [Photo]
Dare devil hoodlums bombed the governor of Imo State’s house early Saturday in his hometown
in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area of the State killing his guards and several vehicles burnt.
Police statement indicated that petrol bomb was deployed which resulted in inferno that saw sympathisers unable to go close to the blaze to extinguish the fire.
Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma who is nicknamed ‘Supreme Court governor’, because he clinched the Sam Mbakwe house through a Supreme Court judgement in January, 2020, has been having running battle with his political enemies and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Senator Uzodimma is seen as a northern apologist and an ally of oligarchs for hobnobbing with them for political reasons. Uzodimma who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has effectively warmed his way into the heart of President Muhammadu Buhari and has always been around the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
Saturday’s tragedy which led to the burning of Uzodimma’s official vehicles and the death of a Security guard might not be unconnected to his rejection of activities of members of IPOB.
Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militia wing of IPOB has since the announcement of their existence caused security woes in and around the South East, with effort to penetrate the South South particularly Rivers State, but which was vehemently resisted by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Apart from attacks on private citizens, the IPOB militias have up-their-game by attacking government infrastructure, killing of Police and razing Police Stations across the South East. The five South East States have been under sieze to an extent that it has become a risk wearing security uniforms without being gunned down.
Friday’s raid of Awomama, headquarters of ESN operatives by the combined Security forces i.e, army Police and DSS with the killing of Ikonso, Commander and Vice President Designate of IPOB, as well as killing of six other commanders was a deadly blow on the proscribed IPOB.
The IPOB operatives have engaged the forces in gun duel before the criminals were overpowered. The casualty was not only that IPOB operatives lost some of their men, but assorted rifles, military camouflage, bullet proof (charms) as well as locally made guns were also recovered.
All the states in the South East have experienced attacks by the unknown gunmen who have not shown any signs of halting the attacks.
However, Imo State Police Command has confirmed the burning of the house of the governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodima at Omuma in Oru East Local Government Area of the state in a statement that did not name IPOB operatives as responsible for the attack.
The statement which was issued by the command and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Orlando Ikeokwu Godson, said that the hoodlums attacked the governor’s house by “throwing in a petrol bomb as a result of which two cars were burnt.”
He said that the hoodlums were successfully repelled, and none of the building was set ablaze.
According to him one unarmed operative of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, was killed in the process, while a police sergeant and another NSCDC operative in their private vehicles at Mgbidi junction along Owerri-Onitsha express high way were killed, when the attackers were escaping.
The attackers stormed the place with their vehicles in there numbers dressed in black attire.
The two vehicles, among which was a coaster bus, packed beside the gate and another car inside the compound were set on fire.
The eye witness equally said that the situation had resulted in the blockage of Owerri Onitsha express highway and other adjoining roads by security personnel drafted to the area.
However, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba, has described the unfortunate incident as a politically motivated one.
In his statement issued on Saturday in Owerri, the commissioner said that gallant security operatives repelled an attack on the Omuma country home of the governor.
He explained that “at about 9am today, Saturday, April 24th, a group of hoodlums numbering about 15 driving in a motorcade of three vehicles accompanied by a tipper loaded with used tyres, stormed the country home of the governor in Omuma, Oru East LGA and attempted to burn down the house”. He denied the setting on fire of the governor’s house, disclosing that vigilant security operatives attached to the house successfully repelled the attack and consequently minimised the damage they had planned to unleash.
He added that during cross fire that ensued, a few casualties were, however, recorded.
According to him, government had directed the relevant security agencies to expedite investigation on the incident and promptly apprehend the sponsors and their agents and bring them to book.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, 14th April, gunmen suspected to be members of IPOB militia group attacked the Nigerian Correctional Service in Owerri and set prisoners free.
They also attacked the Police Command headquarters and burnt vehicles worth millions of naira.
As public outrage continue to trail the killing of travelers in Uromi, Edo State on Thursday 27th March, 2025, the Nigerian Police authorities in the State has announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the killing.
The victims said, to be hunters were travelling to the Northern part of the country when mob swooped and killed them on suspicion that they are Fulani kidnapper.
The Police said, they are 16 powers and all of them were killed.
The Spokesman for the Police Command, Moses Yamu said some persons have been arrested in connection with the attack.
“In the course of investigations, fourteen (14) suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the community to address the situation,” Yamu said in a statement on Friday.
Narrating how the incident happened, the Edo Police Command said it occurred when a “truck with registration number KKF 225 XA coming from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi, and some of the travelers who found in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested”.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm of them being suspected kidnappers, which led some members and passersby in the community to attack and lynch sixteen (16) of the occupants while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
“Police operatives attached to the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly stormed the scene where ten (10) of the travelers were rescued, two of whom sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently positively responding to treatment.”
Yamu said a unit of Police Mobile Force personnel with other command tactical teams had been deployed to the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The police said “investigations continue” over the incident and cautioned “against any form of reprisal attacks”.
The new Commissioner of Police in Niger State, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman has sent a strong warning to criminals operating in the State and vowed that his tenure as a Police boss would change the tide for them or else they should relocate elsewhere.
He sent this warning after he assumed office upon his posting to the State, insisting that criminal elements should stay clear of the State or be ready to incur the full weight of the command.
He said the command under his watch will engage a high level of professional standards in effectively policing the state calling on well meaning individual and critical stakeholders to partner with him in ensuring crime free Niger State.
According to the CP, he is already aware of the activities of youth restiveness and other criminal activities in Minna the state capital assuring that he will make the state unbearable for them.
Speaking through the Command Public Relation Officer (PPRO), while Fielding Question from Journalists at the Police headquarters in Minna Friday, Wasiu Abiodun,SP insisted that the command will not fold its hands to watch some disgruntled elements engaging in an act that will breach the security of the people.
He underscores his command preparedness to ensure the maintenance of law and order in policing the command through community related policing appealing to officers and men of the command to leave above board in making Niger State unsafe for criminal minded elements.
In his words,” as you know, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman just took over the mantle of the command on Thursday the 27th, of March 2025.
“He addressed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other sectional heads of the Command. He assured them of building on the legacy of his Predecessor CP Ebenezer Shawulu Danmaman.
“He also requested that they should extend their hands of fellowship to him for him to succeed in chasing and curtail the activities of these miscreants to the barest level in Minna the capital of Niger State.”
Speaking on the Command’s preparedness to ensure crime free eid ul-Fitr celebration, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman disclosed that the command will deploy enough personnel to all praying grounds across the state. This according to him is to ensure the safety of worshipers.
He warned parents and guardians in the state to monitor the activities of their wards and children to guard against any act that will bring them to face the wrath of the law.
While appreciating men and officers of the Command for their professional resilience in the maintenance of law and order, CP Abdullahi Elleman warned that he has zero tolerance for any act of unprofessional conducts that will bring the Command to ridicule.
In a bid to strengthen security of lives and property and to foster peaceful coexistence in Ijumu Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command CP Miller G. Dantawaye, convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, within the Local Government, to address pressing security concerns and enhance community Policing efforts.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ovye Aya, made available to CAPITAL POST on Tuesday, said, the meeting was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, Rtd, the representative of the Department of State Services (DSS); the member, representing Ijumu, at the State House of Assembly, the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, the Chairman of the Local Government, the Olujumu of Ijumu, as well as members of Miyetti Allah.
In his address, the CP emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling insecurity. He called for intelligence-sharing between residents and Security Agencies, stressing that law enforcement alone cannot ensure safety without community support. He called for the effective collaboration between the Police and their host community.
He further assured of involving immigration agencies to monitor and regulate movement as well as Proper documentation that will enhance accountability and reduce security threats within the Local Government.
The meeting also addressed land ownership rights, the role of traditional institutions, and the need for structured conflict resolution. The CP urged all parties to respect existing leadership structures and seek peaceful resolutions through dialogue.
Reaffirming the Police unwavering commitment to professionalism and human rights, the CP warned against lawlessness, stating that Security Agencies are fully prepared to take action against any individual or group threatening the peace in the area. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.
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