The home of Canice Nwachukwu, a member of the House of Representatives from Imo State, Nigeria, was set ablaze by suspected arsonists on Thursday morning, according to local media reports. Nwachukwu, who represents Orlu/Oru East/Orsu Federal Constituency, was not at home when the attackers stormed his village at Abara in Amanator Okporo community and torched his property. The incident occurred hours before the start of a two-day summit on economy and security in Owerri, the state capital, which was attended by the five governors of the South East region.
The motive behind the attack is not clear, but Imo State has witnessed a surge of violence and insecurity in recent months, with several attacks on security personnel, government facilities, and private properties. Some of the attacks have been blamed on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group that wants to create an independent state for the Igbo ethnic group in the South East¹. However, IPOB has denied any involvement in the violence and accused the government of trying to tarnish its image.
The police spokesperson in the state, Henry Okoye, said that the police had commenced an investigation into the arson case. He appealed to the public to provide any useful information that could help to identify and arrest the perpetrators. He also assured the residents of the state that the police were working hard to restore peace and security in the area.
The attack on Nwachukwu’s home has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including his political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and civil society groups. They called on the authorities to bring the culprits to justice and protect the lives and properties of the citizens. They also urged the people of the state to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence, and shun any act of violence and lawlessness.
The South East summit, which ended on Friday, was aimed at addressing the challenges facing the region and finding lasting solutions to the issues of development, security, and unity. The summit also discussed the prospects of the region in the 2023 general elections and the demand for a president of Igbo extraction. The governors of the region expressed their commitment to work together for the common good of their people and the nation at large.
