ARSON THREAT: POLICE, SSS DEPLOY PERSONNEL IN NWODO'S HOUSE

By Tony Edike
POLICE and operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, have been deployed to the Enugu residence of former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, and that of his younger brother, Chief Nnia Nwodo, following alleged threats by  some unknown persons to set their houses ablaze.

Nwodo's ally, Chief Frank Ugwu, while reviewing the turn of events in Enugu State, following the resignation of Nwodo as PDP National Chairman, said yesterday that his emergence as the party's candidate for Enugu North senatorial district remained sacrosanct.

Combat ready security personnel were seen within the premises of the Nwodos along Imoke Street, GRA, Enugu, when Vanguard visited the area, with two police vans manned by well-armed police men parked in front of the two houses. Another red Peugeot car used by SSS operatives was also parked at the entrance to Nnia Nwodo's house.

The security operatives, who were deployed to the place since Wednesday night, refused to speak on their mission to the area as they claimed that they were not authorized to speak to the press.

One of the occupants of the former Minister's house, who spoke on the security presence in the two houses, standing side by side, confirmed that some people actually threatened to burn down the houses.

He said:  'We did not sleep last night when we got information that some people opposed to Oga want to come and burn the two houses.'

The young man, who identified himself simply as Ikenna, further stated that 'right now, we are living in fear'.

Efforts to speak with the Nwodos on the development proved abortive, just as the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, could not immediately confirm why the security men were deployed to keep vigil in the area.

However, in a statement issued on the seeming controversy trailing the PDP primaries in Enugu North, Chief Ugwu, who is a former member of the House of Representatives maintained that 'the mandate so willingly bestowed on me during the party primaries to represent Enugu North Senatorial Zone to fly the flag of the Party come 2011 National Assembly Election is sacrosanct and inviolable'.