The police
By Douglas Okoro
Dr Justus Okorie, head of the Okorie Chukwu family of Amaonye, Ishiagu Community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over alleged sustained threats, kidnappings and killings targeting members of his family.
The petition, which was signed by him, was made available to newsmen in Abakaliki on Thursday.
It is titled: “Appeal for Urgent Intervention and Protection Over Sustained Threats, Killings and Kidnappings Targeting the Okorie Chukwu Family in Ishiagu, Ebonyi.
Okorie said that the petition was predicated on the recent arrests of two sisters, Ms Ngozi and Ms Juliet Chukwu, both from Amaze in Ishiagu in connection with the kidnap of their own elder brother, Mr Friday Chukwu and their cousin, Mr Denise Igwe.
The family leader said that their security concern was heightened following the discovery that the name of one of their family members, Chief Emmanuel Okorie was contained in the “hit list” recovered from the kidnap suspects.
According to the petition, reports indicate that official documents linking the suspects to paramilitary agencies – the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were recovered, adding institutional dimension to the criminal conspiracy.
Okorie said that the family was yet to overcome the shock of the brutal murder of two members of their family, late Mr Chibuenyi Okorie and their mother, late Mrs Catherine Okorie in cold blood.
He decried the violent attacks, kidnappings and targeted killings including the recent discovery that the name of another family member was in the hit list of a kidnapping syndicate.
Okorie said the development had left the family traumatised, endangered and under siege.
“This heinous chain of events began with the cold-blooded murder of one of our sons under circumstances widely believed to be linked to organised criminal elements.
“Barely six months later, our beloved matriarch, Mrs Catherine Okorie was abducted and her lifeless body was later discovered in a shallow grave.
“To date, justice has neither been served nor has any meaningful progress been made in the prosecution of the suspects, despite public outrage.
“Sir, we are deeply alarmed that the wheels of justice appear to have been stalled and as a family, we have been left to face this nightmare with little or no protection.
“Matters took a darker turn recently with the arrest of a kidnapping gang by the Enugu State Police Command, from whom a “hit list” was recovered.
“Shockingly, names of several indigenes of Ishiagu, including Chief Emmanuel Okorie Chukwu a member of our family was listed among those marked for kidnapping and elimination.
“This discovery has confirmed our worst fears – that there is a well-funded and coordinated plot to annihilate our family.
“Even more troubling is the growing concern among community members about the alleged involvement of some individuals previously linked to these crimes, who have now reportedly secured political appointments.
”This raises strong suspicions of political complicity and deliberate cover-up.
“Sir, our family is living in constant fear, with only a few members able to afford police escorts while the rest remain dangerously exposed.
“We are not asking for special treatment but, only for the right to life and protection guaranteed by our Constitution,” Okorie said.
He noted that the security of lives and property of the citizens was the core mandate of any responsible government, and appealed to the IGP to guarantee the protection of every member of the Okorie Chukwu family.
The petition reads in part: “We hereby most respectfully and urgently appeal to your esteemed office to launch a high-level investigation into the coordinated threats and violent attacks against our family.
”Ensure expedited and transparent prosecution of all those involved in previous attacks, murders and kidnappings of members of our family, as well as provide enhanced police protection for our family members in every part of the country.
”Investigate the alleged involvement of political office holders and security officials in the network of threats facing our family.
“Work with other relevant agencies to guarantee justice, peace and safety for the people of Ishiagu and our family in particular.
“We are law-abiding citizens who believe in the Nigerian justice system. However, we fear that without decisive intervention from your office, more lives may be lost and a dangerous precedent set.
“We trust in your commitment to upholding justice and protecting all Nigerian citizens without fear or favour.”(NAN)
