Woman groans as security forces set husband’s house ablaze, declare son wanted
By Monday Egbo, Awka
A combined team of security forces have raided Awada community in Idemili north local government area of Anambra State, during which at least five houses were set ablaze.
The raid was linked to an alleged earlier clash between the security agencies and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
IPOB, a secessionist group has been agitating for the declaration of Biafra out of the present Nigeria.
The security forces were said to have stormed the night in search of one Mr Dumokeke Pascal the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of IPOB in Awada zone 2, unit 4 in Onitsha in Anambra State.
Our correspondent gathered that Mr. Dumokeke Pascal was earlier arrested by the police in Ebonyi State during one of the IPOB strategic meetings. At least ten members of the secessionist group were said to have been killed during that arrest.
Over 100 suspected IPOB members were arrested and dispatched to various police detention centers across the States in Nigeria. About 22, including Mr Dumokeke Pascal were later taken to the dreaded Awkuzu SARS headquarters (special anti-robbery squad).
The IPOB had earlier through their spokesman, Mr Emma Powerful alleged that the arrested members were denied access to family members or legal representation.
However, in the peak of the October 2020 ENDSARS protest, the detainees were freed by protesters, leading to a raid on their homes by security forces.
Speaking to journalists about the incident Mr Dumokeke Pascal mother lamented, “I was in the village when I was informed by a neighbor that armed security forces had raided my home in the city in search of my son.”
“She noted that the security forces were firing sporadically into the air and calling out her son’s name. They entered my house in their search for him, but after failing to find anyone, they became frustrated and set my home ablaze.”
While demanding for justice, Mrs Dumokeke Chinyere urged Human Rights Organisations to come to the aid of her family.
“As I speak, we don’t have any place to lay our heads; my husband is late
“My son has also been running from one place to another because they declared him wanted.
“They should leave my son alone because he is not a criminal; seeking for Biafra independence is not a crime. The Nigerian Government should leave my son alone,” the woman said amid tears.
Meanwhile, the spokesman of the police in Anambra State confirmed the raid, noting that Mr Dumokeke Pascal was one of the IPOB members who escaped from the SARS detention facility in Awkuzu.
“He is an IPOB member; we arrested them in Ebonyi State, moved them to Anambra, but he escaped during the END SARS. We will get him,” he said when contacted by our correspondent.
