Gunmen raze Imo Assembly candidate’s country home

Gunmen have attacked the home of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Imo State House of Assembly, Ifeanyi Ozoemena, in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.

The politician confirmed that his house and that of his father were razed by the gunmen who struck at around 2 pm on Tuesday.

The attackers set the houses on fire and supervised the burning, destroying the two houses and all the properties inside. Thankfully, no lives were lost in the incident.

The attack in Okigwe LGA is one of several incidents of insecurity and criminal activities that the area has witnessed since 2022.

In February, gunmen burnt the country home of the Labour Party candidate for the state house of Assembly, Nnaemeka Obiaraeri, and the house of the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Emeka Okoronkwo, in Ihube community in Okigwe LGA.

The houses of a former commissioner for information, Nnamdi Obiaraeri, a retired Director of Department of Security Service, Nnaemeka Ngwu, and the director general of the campaign organisation of the Labour Party candidate for Okigwe North Federal Constituency, Okey Unam, were also burnt in the same community.

The spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident but said he was awaiting more details. The attacks have forced many indigenes to flee their homes, leaving them vulnerable and exposed to further attacks.

The situation in Okigwe LGA highlights the growing insecurity in Imo State and the urgent need for the government to take action to protect citizens and their property.

The attacks on political candidates and their homes also threaten the democratic process and must be condemned by all.