Date Published: 03/26/10

Dear Editor,

Politicians disappearing from places of worship & social gatherings

Mrs. Alice Odimegwu, the wife of former Nigerian Breweries CEO Mr. Festus Odimegwu though already released was kidnapped, while inside church service (13/3/10), in her hometown in Imo State. She heard gunshots and sensing she might be the target, attempted jumping the fence when she was identified by one of the 30-gunmen. She had three mobile police escorts but according to the Imo Commissioner of Police, Okorie, the firing power of the criminals was superior to that of the Policemen. Her driver was killed in the process. Mrs. Odimegwu is allegedly warming up for the forthcoming LGA chairmanship election and may have been a victim of political kidnapping.

Last year a highly successful businesswoman Mrs. Oby Chidiac (an Owerri woman married to a Lebanese) was trailed by her assailants who pretended to be worshipers at the Liverpool Road Apapa Catholic Church and was gunned down at the entrance of the church.  

Not quiet long, in Nsit Atai Akwa Ibom State, the former Director-General of the NYSC, retired Major General Edet Akpan, was kidnapped while he was inside a church service. He was bundled into a car booth and taken away by his captors. This was after the kidnappers had shot at the General ’ s bodyguards and in the process also killed two female worshippers who had come to the house of God to worship Him. The perpetrators largely suspected to be sponsored are still at large. Kidnappings at church premises have been more prevalent in Akwa Ibom State as recorded in the media.

Because of political kidnappings in church premises and social gatherings, most politicians nowadays keep off from such events. At the recent burial ceremony of the former Akwa Ibom State PDP chairman, Mr. Emenyi, it was observed through the media that many, including federal legislators and top politicians kept off or were scared attending because of the in-thing there.

Look at even the recent Vanguard ’ s post-amnesty talk, which was greeted with bomb blasts. It is a pity that these situations are growing in many States of the federation, especially in the south-south and south-east, the situation needs to be addressed before things get out of hand.

Chief Kenneth Holmes, Okigwe Road, OWERRI, Imo State