TENSION IN IMO GOVERNMENT HOUSE AS BODYGUARDS HOLDS GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA HOSTAGE

A Mafia-like movie was almost witnessed at the weekend at the Government House, Owerri Imo State, when Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha the Governor of Imo State was held hostage by his black suites-wearing Body Guards, who blocked his movement while demanding for the sum of N5 million (Five Million Naira) and a car each as settlement for serving him since 2011.

It would be recalled that Trumpeta had recently reported about the invasion of the State Exco Chamber by the aggrieved body guards who attempted to attack the Governor and Members of the Executive.

Trumpeta learnt that the angry thugs who were engaged by the governor as private guards during the election campaign in 2011 and were retained to do some protective jobs for the Chief Executive of Imo State during public functions are said to be enraged for non payment of their “salaries” or any form of empowerment since 2011.

They were particularly miffed at the Governor after observing his financial and logistics support to the APC candidate in the Anambra elections, whereas he ignored their persistent request for “settlement”.

One of the Body Guards who spoke on condition of anonymity noted that after they had observed the alleged distribution of funds to people for the Anambra election by one of the Governor’s aide at Ahiajoku Centre to APC supporters and thugs who were being prepared for the Anambra poll before the clamp down on them by the Imo police. The Body Guards claimed that some of them were promised positions of Councilors and Supervisory Councilors when the LGA election will hold but regretted that having worked for Gov Rochas Okorocha for more than two years, they have nothing to show except the suites and dark spectacles they wear to carryout various assignments for the Chief Executive at the detriment of their good names and image.

It was learnt that the Body Guards who are familiar persons in Govt House premises laid ambush the Okorocha at the Governor’s Lodge to disrupt his official activities. When the Governor came out to move, the bodyguards numbering more than eight barricaded his way and prevent, him from entering his official vehicle.

A visibly embarrassed Governor Okorocha who was shocked by the sudden action of the Body Guards faced the ordeal before the presence of the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Paschal Obi, some political aides and the official security aides to the Governor. It was learnt that Okorocha assuaged the Body Guards with promises that he was going to make it up for them. It took the intervention of some of the Aides to the governor who also appealed to the bodyguards to consider the pleading of His Excellency, for the irate thugs to calm down but threatened to embarrass the governor should he fail to fulfill his promise to them.