GROUP ACN APGA CALL FOR PROBE INTO SIEZED ARMS IN IMO

A group, Imo Rescue Group (IRG) has called for thorough investigations by security agencies into the alleged recovery of some firearms at the residence of the Imo State House of Assembly member, Chief Samuel Anyanwu (alias Samdaddy) barely a week ago.

Anyanwu, who is representing Ikeduru Constituency in the state House of Assembly had since denied the allegation, saying it was the hand work of his political opponent.

The group, in a statement in Owerri, yesterday by its spokesman, Mr. Clinton Eze and a copy made available to Daily Sun, expressed worrythat the state was becoming a safe haven for gunrunners, as the April polls was fast approaching.

Daily Sun learnt that men of the State Security Service (SSS) from the Imo State command raided the house of the lawmaker at Works Layout, Owerri, where it was reported to have recovered some arms.

But, Chief Anyanwu, who acknowledged the raid by the security agents on his house, debunked claims that some arms were recovered. He attributed the allegation to the handiwork of his opponents.

Mr. Eze said the alleged recovery of the arms and ammunitions was coming three weeks after a Toyota Camry loaded with similar assault rifles and other weapons were intercepted in Owerri, the state capital by security agencies.

He, therefore, called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim and the National Security Adviser, General Owoeye Azazi to wade into the matter and uncover those behind the alleged arm stockpiling.

The spokesman said the group had directed its lawyers to petition the security agencies in the state and forward same to Abuja, as it had given them (Security agencies) seven days to make public their findings.

A top official of the SSS from the state command told Daily Sun that the matter was still under investigations and the agency could not be stampeded into giving inconclusive reports.

He appealed for calm, as it would ensure that it would get to the root of the matter, alleging that politicians were blowing the matter out of proportion.

Similarly, the state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in a statement by its Secretary, Mr. Christian Oguoma urged the security agencies to come out with their reports, as the arms discovery in two separate incidents had made the state vulnerable.