The people of Umuagha Autonomous Community in Imo State have called for the immediate release of two of their youth leaders who are being detained by the State Police Command for allegedly being members of Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB).
The youths were named as Chima Mmeka, the youth leader of the community and Chidera Mmeka, the Chief Security Officer
Speaking with our correspondent, a community leader, Obinna Mmeka, who is also a relative to the detained youth leaders, said the duo were arrested after honouring an invitation by the army at Ukwuorji checkpoint, along Onitsha road.
He narrated that upon honouring the invitation, the two youth leaders were taken to 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, where they were detained for two months before being taken to the Police Anti-kidnapping Unit.
Obinna appealed to Governor Hope Uzodinma and the State Police Commissioner, Aboki Dajuma, to intervene in the matter and secure the release of the youth leaders, stating that they are not IPOB members.
He maintained that the two detained individuals have never indulged in any anti-social activities.
He noted that the community has not recorded any activities of the IPOB or ESN in recent times.
Obinna recounted that everything started when soldiers apprehended
one Chimaobi Ononiwu, who they suspected of being an IPOB member. On searching his phone they allegedly discovered that he shared the same social media platform with the community youth leader.
According to Obinna, Ononiwu however revealed that the particular platform is a general Whatsapp group created by the youths of the community for the purpose of disseminating information.
“So the army invited the President General, Barr. Osita Chikezie, the Youth leader, Chima Mmeka and the Chief Security Officer of the community, Chidera Mmeka, to confirm whether Chimaobi Ononiwu was a member of IPOB.
“Since the President General was not around the Vice President, Osondu boriki, and others went.
“On getting there, their phones were seized and when the WhatsApp platform was discovered in the android phones of the youth leader and chief security officer. They were detained while the VP who has no android phone was left to go,” Obinna narrated.
He added that after their arrest, the youth leaders were transfered to Obinze, where they were incarcerated for two months before they were moved to Tiger Base, Owerri.
Obinna maintained that the arrested youth leaders are not IPOB members but responsible leaders in the community and appealed to the state governor and commissioner of police to effect their release.
