Chinedum Elekwachi
A community leader in Odumodu-enu village, Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Collins Nweke is in critical condition in a private hospital following injuries allegedly inflicted on him by House of Assembly member, Innocent Ojike and his security operatives.
The lawmaker, representing Nweke’s constituency was said to have attacked Chairman of Odumodu-enu during a meeting in Awkuzu few days ago.
A source said the victim had reportedly recorded the lawmaker’s brawl with the Odumodu-enu Chairman, an action Ojike frowned at and is suspected to have led to the alleged attack on Nweke.
Nweke narrated his ordeal from the hospital bed. “I was attending a traditional marriage ceremony at Odumodu-ana village on June 30 at about 5.30 p.m when Ojicam came with his convoy.
“After blocking me, he started shooting indiscriminately with his pistol, as all the three shots fired at my legs missed the target.
“The lawmaker and his security operatives descended on me, hitting my head with his pistol.
“The injuries inflicted on my head was so much that I started bleeding profusely.
“They later took me to an isolated area close to Zone 13 Ukpo where they beat me mercilessly.
“They accused me of doing a video recording his fight with the chairman of Odumodu-enu at Awkuzu the previous day and asked me to produce the video or they would kill me.
“After searching and they didn’t see the video, they abandoned me to die of bleeding, until I was rescued by a good Samaritan.”
Odumodu under constant attack
While appealing to governor Chukwuma Soludo to come to his rescue, Nweke alleged that his people were under constant threat from the legislator.
“My life is in danger and Odumodu villagers are in trouble,” he lamented.
A community leader, Ichie Ekene Ejeh of Odumodu-enu and Chairman of Odumodu-ana, Mr Chukwuemeka Ozokwelu condemned the alleged brutality.
They described it as barbaric and unbecoming of a lawmaker.
The legislator was also fingered in the recent sale of Odumodu communal land without consent of the entire villages.
Reacting, the lawmaker dismissed the allegations as false and misleading.
He said the victim is a cultist and on Police wanted list, while about seven of his accomplices have been arrested.
“The information you saw online is a false information before the public.
“If the man feels I attacked him, he should report to the police so they could investigate the matter.
“Better still, he should show evidence of the video coverage when he was attacked.
“The man in question is a cultist and the police is looking for him.
“About 7 of them were arrested yesterday night while the Collins is declared wanted.
“It’s in the news broadcast by PRO, Force headquarters. I can send you the video clips as evidence.”
