.. Says arrest will expose town to many security threats
Ihiala Progress Union has called for the immediate release of its Vigilante, AVG Commander, Mr. Christian Kennedy
Ohazurume, arrested by the 82 division of the Nigerian Army.
In a petition signed by Barrister Leo Okey Ohagbabarr, President and Izuchukwu Nsofor, Secretary which was copied to the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and the State Commissioner of Police , the Union said the arrest will expose the town to many security threats.
The Union stated in the petition addressed to Major General Aminu Chinade, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu titled Re: Sudden shutdown of Ihiala Vigilante Operations, AVG Strikeforce commander, Kennedy Ohazurume by military authorities will not be good for the progress and development of the town based on the growing insecurity in the state.
While sending the ‘Save Our Soul’ message to authorities of the Nigerian Army, the Union demanded the immediate release of the Commander unhurt to continue the good work he’s doing in Ihiala.
Mr Ohagbabarr and Nsofor, explained that: “A team of Military Officers from the Nigerian Army on/or about 02:00 hrs of 21st April, 2023, in
a commando-styled operation, arrested the Ihiala AVG Commander, Mr. Christian Kennedy Ohazurume. The Army team disarmed all our Vigilante operatives on duty, confiscated and took away all their working materials. Ihiala Town, from about 3am of 21stApril, 2023 has been without Vigilante Security operations, and therefore left at the mercy of the hoodlums, who hitherto has ravaged the town for over a year, before the appointment of Mr. Kennedy by the
Town to lead the combat against the hoodlums”.
The Union pointed out that the unfortunate event has now put the entire town under serious threat of attacks by these criminals (a.k.a. unknown gunmen), who attacked same Commander’s house two nights ago with sophisticated weapons, including IEDs, razing down his building, two private vehicles, generators and about five security motorcycles at his premises before they were gallantly
repelled by a combined team of Military Officers and their Vigilante operatives (AVG Strikeforce).
Ihiala Union said they are taken aback and in utter shock at this ugly development because same Military
authorities have maintained robust synergy with their Vigilante outfit and their collaborative efforts, including the police which has yielded positive results in the renewed fight against crime and criminality in Ihiala Town.
“We called on your good office to kindly intervene in this matter and Save the souls of Ihiala people from possible attacks, if perchance the hoodlums gets wind of this security relapse.
The arrested Commander, Mr. Christian Kennedy was recently duly appointed by the Town Union
and the Oluoha (the Traditional Ruler) to coordinate our new Vigilante outfit. He has been enjoying full support of the good people of Ihiala for his gallantry, exceptional competence and
capacity in carrying out the daunting security assignment and for the emerging positive results thus far. More so, Mr. Kennedy also doubles as the Ihiala Local Government Security Coordinator, as appointed by the State Government”, the Union stated.
Ohagbabarr and Nsofor noted in the petition that another danger now is that they are at the verge of loosing many of the Vigilante operatives who
are now without a commander, without operational tools, exposed to danger of attacks and do not even know their own fate.
The President and the Secretary said many have left in fear of attacks by the unknown gunmen and
more would leave if nothing is done to arrest this sad situation.
