IFEANYI EZUGWU,ENUGU.
A Septuagenarian and retired teacher, Mr. Fidelis Nnenanya, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, as well as Enugu State Police Commissioner alleging threat to his life and those of his family members by one Sergeant Josephat Okika, a serving soldier in Enugu.
Nenanya also alleged that the said soldier had mobilised his colleagues in the army to invade his family compound at Amaudala, Nkume town in Uzo-Uwani council area sometime in December 2013 and completely demolished his one storey building, with a threat to deal with the family in subsequent invasions.
In a Save-Our-Soul letter sent to the top security chiefs and signed by M.I. Ukwueze of Mba-Anabaragu Chambers, Nsukka, Nenanya explained that informed sources had told him that his arrest and subsequent invasion of his house by the soldiers was sequel to a petition by the Okika family accusing him of malicious damage and threat to life.
“A team of soldiers had on December 6, 2013 arrested Nenanya at Umulokpa council headquarters. When he wanted to know his offence, he was mercilessly beaten up by the soldiers who whisked him into their hilux van. When they got to Nkume having made mockery of their victim, they also arrested his brother, Alphonsus Ijegala. The highly diabetic and hypertensive man and his brother were later granted bail at about 10.30pm.
“As if the humiliation, insult and derogatory attitudes of the armed soldiers were not enough, they again invaded their victim’s house on December 7, and destroyed his one storey building, leaving no block on top of the other. This is an abortion before the spirit of equity,” he noted in the petition.
He alleged that the over 21 soldiers that invaded his house were led by Sgt Josephat, Okika Jude and Okika Sunday all serving soldiers from the same family in their community. Other civilians were also said to have aided them while the demolition lasted as they came with dangerous weapons including big hammers, chisels, chemicals/raw acid, wielding machines and axes among others.
While urging the Police IG, the GOC of 82 Division as well as the Enugu Commissioner of Police to immediately intervene, arrest, investigate and prosecute those accused of being involved in the dastardly act before the whole situation degenerates to an unmanageable level, the septuagenarian said the way the soldiers freely intimidate and harass innocent people in the village had made a lot of people including the Divisional Police Officer in Umulokpa to refuse to question their action.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu, DSP Ebere Amaraizu denied knowledge of the petition but promised to get back by the time he gets the full detail of the story.
