For Mr. Christian Iwunze, life was about family. He was the second of two siblings and the only son. But, as if to compensate for his parents’ slim family, he did not only opt for early marriage, he also had more children than they did.

A baby girl opened the womb for the family. Two more girl children followed in quick succession. After the usual trepidation of “are we going to end up with an all-female family,” a set of twin boys was born. If you thought that was enough, then wait for this: another three girls came in quick succession. Then, another set of twin boys!

Blessed with such a large family, Iwunze knew no life outside the family apart from his job in an oil servicing company.

Though Iwunze and wife, Catherine, did not obtain university education, virtually all their children do, with some acquiring postgraduate degrees in engineering, while one of their daughters is pursuing a doctoral degree.

For a man that had spent all his life in the training of his children, Iwunze, an indigene of Umueze, Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State was elated when one of his first set of twin boys, Okechukwu, announced his wedding. Iwunze took it as his personal responsibility to ensure that this happened without any breach.

Okechukwu’s wedding to Miss Uchechi Orji was fixed for Saturday, September 5, but four days before the event, on Tuesday, August 28, tragedy struck! A group of five unidentified men shot Iwunze to death just at the gate of his residence on 19, Umundula Orji Street, Off Urattah Road, Owerri, Imo State.

Iwunze was killed two days after suspected hired assassins murdered a former director of the Central Bank of Nigeria; and one day after a politician was murdered, all in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The suspected assassins killed the former CBN director, Mr. Charles Nwosu, at the Ekeukwu Central Market on Douglas Road. A police inspector who engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle and two unidentified persons were also killed.

Their killers operated in a RAV 4 Sports Utility Vehicle and, mysteriously, the killers of Iwunze also operated in a RAV 4 Sports Utility Vehicle. Could it be that the killers of the erstwhile CBN director also killed Iwunze? If they were the same killers, what was the connection? These questions have remained unanswered. Worse still, law enforcements agents in Imo State seem overwhelmed by the growing insecurity.

Before now, several people, including traditional rulers, businessmen, politicians and public office holders had, at various times and places, either been kidnapped for ransom or murdered in cold blood for reasons yet unknown. Consequently, especially in areas that do not have enough police presence, night life has nose-dived in the state.

One of such victims was Pastor Anselm Iwuala, who was still murdered by his abductors despite a N500,000 paid by his family for his freedom.

Iwuala was travelling to his country home in Egberede Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, when he was abducted by gunmen on the very busy Okpala-Mbaise road. That was in June.

Again, on the night of May 7, 2012, the traditional ruler of Umueze-Abazu, Ogwa, Mbaitoli LGA, Eze Stanley Akuneto, was allegedly murdered in cold blood in his palace by two gunmen who reportedly rode on a motorcycle.

And as if to underscore the crass helplessness of the situation, even the governor’s elder sister, her husband, members of her household and all the occupants of the three cars on her convoy escaped death narrowly on May 19, 2012, when armed robbers opened fire on the vehicle in which they were travelling at Egbeada, Mbaitoli LGA.

Indeed, the list of dastardly acts is endless.

When our correspondent visited the police station in Owerri North, where the matter concerning Iwunze’s killing was referred to, the police officers on duty all refused to speak. It was also difficult to ascertain the identities of the officers being talked to, as they each covered their name tags with handkerchiefs.

In response to our correspondent’s enquiry, one of them simply said, “The matter has been transferred to the state CID. Go there and find out what is happening.”

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Adisa Bolanta, also did not comment on the matter. He would not take his calls and did not respond to text messages sent to his mobile telephone.

Iwunze’s first child, Mrs. Peace Okeke, said, “My father was a peaceful man and was not a politician. He diligently went about his work. He was once offered a chieftaincy title because of his contribution to his community, but he rejected it,” Mrs. Okeke explained.

She said, “He was even offered a knighthood in the church but he also rejected it. He kept on saying that he was not interested in receiving titles or holding positions, but only wanted to help his people and serve God.

“I just don’t know where this is coming from. From the stories we have been hearing, it is becoming obvious that people were paid to kill my father. What for, I don’t know. It is still a mystery to us.”

Despite the sad issue, the family went ahead with the wedding, consoled by the fact that their late father would not have had it otherwise.

In the interim, Iwunze’s widow, Catherine, has yet to find her voice. She is still in shock and, according to one of her daughters, Peace, she has remained in a state of shock since the incident.

Okechukwu’s twin brother, Emeka, expressed concern that the police have yet to come up with concrete finding since their father’s death.

Emeka said, “We have been the ones reminding them that they need to investigate the matter. They have been so reluctant to interrogate any of us. We had to compel them to remove the car my father rode in when he was killed, which they only did on Tuesday, a week after the incident.

“I am surprised at the action of the police. Those who killed my father overtook his car and waited at our gate; and when he tried to drive into the compound, they rushed out and shot at the tyres. Then, two of them dragged my father out of the car, leaving his 20-year-old apprentice, Cletus Ikeadi, behind.

“They took him to their jeep and as soon as one of the remaining three assassins who stayed behind in the jeep identified him, they rained bullets on him. But till date, the police have been acting as though nothing happened and everyone in Owerri is now scared of walking on the street.”

Meanwhile, the Imo State Government, in its efforts to curb crime in the state, has concluded arrangements to launch emergency rapid response scheme, especially to curb kidnapping and assassinations.

Governor Rochas Okorocha disclosed this when the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta paid him a visit earlier in the month.

Okorocha informed the new police commissioner that he would ask the Inspector General of Police to post more policemen to the state, especially in local government areas which are currently underpoliced.

The governor noted that the security challenges in the state included kidnapping, vandalism, assassinations, among others; urging the new police commissioner to brace up to the challenges, with the aim of restoring peace to the beleaguered state.

In his response during a tour of some South-East states recently, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, urged the governor to create more jobs for Imo people. This, according to him, would help in reducing crime in the state.

He promised to assist the governor and Imo people in their bid to reduce crimes in the state.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Mr. Okey Okorocha, said in order to reduce the crime rate, the Imo State Government had initiated an incentive — giving N1m to anybody who could give useful information leading to the arrest of kidnapers in the state, while any person that provides information for the recovery of guns would be awarded N50,000.

The state government has also offered insurance scheme to members of the local vigilante groups that may, in the course of duty, either sustain injuries or die.

Governemnt said an undisclosed amount of money would be paid as compensation to the bereaved family.

The aide also revealsed that the state government had introduced a radio programme where callers were provided with information on security measures in the state.

He revealed that Americans and Israeli agencies were training some persons on how to combat kidnappers.

He said, “As soon as these people conclude their training, kidnapping will be over in the state.”


http://www.punchng.com/feature/bandits-on-the-loose-in-imo/

Roachas may you continue the talking while your poor imo state is being over-run by criminality at its highest height ever to be seen anywhere else. Even the IG told him to create employment to reduce crime to bearest minimum, instead he is busy talking and brainwashing the poor people of imo state.

By the way where is ABAGWORO??

Please come forward to answer for your failed governor

Ohakim was better off

Chino11=Ohaneze1. Please stop putting yourself to disgrace while trying to talk down on your brother. I have made my positions known on Rochas. I think his priorities are misplaced at the moment because he wants to leave a long lasting physical mark but there is definitely more that needs to be done. The multiple projects he's carrying are unrealizable with the low revenue of Imo State. We cannot start same projects with Rivers and Akwa-Ibom who are 5 times richer. It will only lead to dozens of abandoned projects.

There is definitely more crime in your State than mine but I will never engage in anything derogatory to my brothers again because of you. So many people like Onlytruth, Mr Globe and others are worthy Igbo sons that are not clanish and I also consider myself one.

Displaced PDP thugs on duty.

Well said, Abagworo. You're a true son of your father.

We don't come here and sing about the 450 drug dealers caught in Asia, who all happened to hail from a particular state.

We don't talk about the HIV rates as well as the child factories which a certain state continues to emerge as the 'champion' in the East.
Why? Because we happen to see life from a wider point of view. Truly, there is a difference between growing old and growing UP.

Let the dumb, clannish, pathetic loser continue to roll in his own filth.

Its a pity with the way things are going in Imo state. Imo state has a lot of abandoned road projects; unemployment is on the increase because govt has sacked more pple instead of creating jobs. Imo state is in a sorry state and really in dire need of real "Rescue".

Like they say. It is well inside d well

This is why i dnt really understand the stand of NPF on that cynthia's case,they took so much actions on that case but look at the police negligence on this family's case,they are being reluctant to do their job and at end of the day,innocent citizens are murdered and nothing happens jst because they dnt have retired military as a father....it shall be well with Nigeria.....SMH

"ABSOLUTELY SPEACHLESS"
"

Unemployment Haram has started in the East.

[size=20pt]R..I...P TO THE SOULS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIFE'S.........
[/size]
[size=14pt]BUT ALSO THERE IS NO FIRE WITHOUT SMOKE!!!! SOMETHING LED TO DAT.......[/size]

[size=15pt]I FEEL A LOT PITY FOR NIGERIANS WE SUFFERING THE INJUSTICE OF OUR LEADERS [/size]

The traditional ruler who was murdered (Eze Akuneto) is yet be be buried. The family is in so much pain and agony right now. We really need safety and security in Imo state.

initialy i thought i was readn a story buk
@ topik....hw much can dey posibly pay a man 4 him to kil his fellow human...

I DEY CRY.

berem: "ABSOLUTELY SPEACHLESS"
"

.
SPOKELESS. "SPEECH

Its really a worrisome and sad situation in Imo state. Last year, I was a victim to highway robbers at night when I left Owerri for Orsu LGA. Over 10 Armed bandits capitalized on an abandoned police checkpoint to rob us. I was very lucky I was not shot nor my wife raped, maybe because they got alot of money and expensive items from us. But other people that came after us weren't so lucky. A guy that was just coming from his Traditional wedding had his "new" wife raped that night. Another bus carrying loads of women from a ceremony were also brutally raped. We remained far deep into the bush for 4 hrs until a police patrol team came to the spot around 3am. I shudder to my spine each time I remember that last year incident. I am mortally scared of living in Nigeria honestly.

Na today?

I served in this town and trsut me all these killings are related. I saw hell when I was a persiding officer in that town(inec tins) . These people are a bunch of thugs and these killings are a result of some misunderstanding of some sort. They are all related and if I know that town well, this would not be the last we would hear about assisinations

Abagworo: Chino11=Ohaneze1. Please stop putting yourself to disgrace while trying to talk down on your brother. I have made my positions known on Rochas. I think his priorities are misplaced at the moment because he wants to leave a long lasting physical mark but there is definitely more that needs to be done. The multiple projects he's carrying are unrealizable with the low revenue of Imo State. We cannot start same projects with Rivers and Akwa-Ibom who are 5 times richer. It will only lead to dozens of abandoned projects.

There is definitely more crime in your State than mine but I will never engage in anything derogatory to my brothers again because of you. So many people like Onlytruth, Mr Globe and others are worthy Igbo sons that are not clanish and I also consider myself one.

If we rolled out the comparison na you go run.

Now answer the question 'nwa badger'. Wasn't Ohakim better?

Roachas is a rogue. simple

Ohaneze1: Roachas may you continue the talking while your poor imo state is being over-run by criminality at its highest height ever to be seen anywhere else. Even the IG told him to create employment to reduce crime to bearest minimum, instead he is busy talking and brainwashing the poor people of imo state.

By the way where is ABAGWORO??

Please come forward to answer for your failed governor

Ohakim was better off

Just shotup ur mouth if ur don't know wat say. Ohakim and pdp is behind all dat.

hav not been briefed, i will comment when briefed

Lest I forget almost every youth in that town is a cultist. When I was there there was this joint we normally hang out, to my suprise you would see an eiye , a pirate and an ax man drinking beer together in harmony and they talk about their ruthless doings in their school, and they would all be brothers or cousins or something. I mean don't get me wrong there's no harm with these people sitting and drinking together, all am saying is that it has become a culture thing and it seems okay for family members to belong,tell me why crime wouldn't be on the rise in that state? I know of a particular big family where every body in the family is a cultist and their father , e own don pass normal cult.
Its sad. I have to say

DonHummer: initialy i thought i was readn a story buk
@ topik....hw much can dey posibly pay a man 4 him to kil his fellow human...

as at 2007 when I was in school there was this guy I heard you could give 5k to and he would help you kill whoever you needed dead. Heard they got in at bdpa then finally

obicentlis: Displaced PDP thugs on duty.

Mechie onu gi nwoke. You cant keep blaming the PDP for all evils in the state. For crying out loud Owelle is the CSO of the state he should bring the situation under control, blaming the opposition is to say the least stupid and silly.

im speechless! i didnt know that the Ibos also attack each other here on nairaland! But tell me, after all the boasting that they the Ibos are so industrious...why the unemployment that is responsible for the mayhem?!

anyways, at the end of the day...the wealth in nigeria needs to be redistributed else the disaffection and therefor crime will continue to rise until the country self-destructs!

where are the people on NL who preach about life in Lekki and want everyone to move back home to enjoy it? pls share ur riches with those criminal unemployed y'all have there and if there is any wealth left then invite nigerians overseas to come back and share that...!! smfh

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Adisa Bolanta
The man is still in service? No wonder Imo is heading south, he is Alao Akala's personal CP of Oyo State in those turbulent era

I know this family in question and this is a very serious issue, for a man so innocent to lose his life and nothing is been done about it, let the culprits be brought to book, please o

mrkels: Lest I forget almost every youth in that town is a cultist. When I was there there was this joint we normally hang out, to my suprise you would see an eiye , a pirate and an ax man drinking beer together in harmony and they talk about their ruthless doings in their school, and they would all be brothers or cousins or something. I mean don't get me wrong there's no harm with these people sitting and drinking together, all am saying is that it has become a culture thing and it seems okay for family members to belong,tell me why crime wouldn't be on the rise in that state? I know of a particular big family where every body in the family is a cultist and their father , e own don pass normal cult.
Its sad. I have to say

Nigeria is doomed because of this cult of a thing,crime will continue to be on the increase in Nigeria because of the activities of cultist.Killers,assassins,robbers and rapers etc. A people without conscience,the bible says,"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof is the way of destruction"

The gov sacked ten thousand youths from work when he took over as gov so may be this is pay back time.

skyflash: The gov sacked ten thousand youths from work when he took over as gov so may be this is pay back time.

That is not a reason to go about killing innocent citizens,there is no gain in crime."Whatever a man soweth that he shall reap"

I believe that the people carrying out this heinous crime are paid agents of PDP who are bent on distabilising Imo state to discredit Rochas Okorocha.Ohakim,Hon.Ihedioha,Hope Uzodimma and all of them should be arrested immediately.they are the sponsor of all these bandits

Ohaneze1: Roachas may you continue the talking while your poor imo state is being over-run by criminality at its highest height ever to be seen anywhere else. Even the IG told him to create employment to reduce crime to bearest minimum, instead he is busy talking and brainwashing the poor people of imo state.

By the way where is ABAGWORO??

Please come forward to answer for your failed governor

Ohakim was better off

U are nothing but a f0ol, u will create jobs under 1 year plus. Ur broda Ohakim, what did he do with all the money? He use Imo state money as Married cake, come and cut ur own, all the tugs he use in the state could not get money as they use to now. They are making the new government to look bad. Th IG himself is very stupid, a security man is telling people that simply he can't face the challenge. Nonsense.