Two security outfits take turns to harass Linus Okorie, Gov. Dave Umahi’s opponent in the forthcoming Senatorial elections in Ebonyi State.
Chief Okorie, a former federal legislator, exemplifies growing intolerance by politicians struggling for power in Ebonyi State.
The Labour candidate appears to be the main challenger of APC’s Gov. Dave Umahi in Ebonyi South District.
Ebubeagu, the Ebonyi State Security outfit, seized him on Sunday and kept him incommunicado.
According to Ebonyi Police, Ebubeagu arested the former lawmaker when they bursted a group selling hard drugs in his hotel.
Fearful of his safety, Okorie’s family members cried out, claiming that Ebubeagu abducted and tortured him.
Police traced the captive to where Ebubeagu held him and took Okorie into custody.
Ebonyi Police spokesperson, Chris Anyanwu, said the Labour candidate has questions to answer on drugs and his prior refusal to honour police invitations.
Anyanwu said Ebubeagu did not abduct but rather arrested Okorie “for drug-related matters and several other offences.”
The Command said it acted on a press release by “”one Dr. David Ogbonna of Linus Okorie Caring Heart Foundation.”
“The State Police Command swung into action and later traced the said Okorie, who had evaded many Police arrests/invitations, to the head office of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit at the Old Government House.
Police said Ebubeagu accused Okorie of masterminding the violence that claimed lives at Onicha community in 2021.
“…the case has now been taken over by the Police Command for a scrupulous investigation.
On their own, the Command spokesperson equally accused Okorie of failing to honour several invitations by the police.
“Secondly, Okorie was severally invited by the Security and Intelligence Bureau of the Command over a petition dated, March 23, authored by the State’s Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice…”
Police quoted the Attorney General as alleging that Okoroe spread “fake news against Gov Dave Umahi.”
“When invited by the SIB over the false allegations/petition, Okorie in his characteristic pompous manner refused vehemently to report.
“Rather, he chose to file fallacious suits against the Police Command.
“It is also pertinent to mention that Okorie also has a pending case in which he is implicated in a drug-related offence where the suspects purported to be his agents were arrested for Hard drug sales and use at his City Hub Inn, Mile 50, Abakaliki,” the Spokesman stated.
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