New Telegraph-Admin 
Strange things continue to confront hapless citizens in a country where a Nigerian Army general remains in captivity eight months after he was abducted by unknown gunmen around the Orji area of Owerri, in the Eastern heartland. Richard Duru, a two-star general, was driving in his Mercedes Benz Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) when he was accosted by gun wielding young men near Bishop’s Court, Area 7.
Although there were reports that the kidnappers had made contact with the family, freedom has not been achieved. The Imo State Police Command is unable to calm the nerves of members of the Duru family, with conflicting accounts.
On May 16, 2024, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, presented to the public three suspects, allegedly involved in the crime. According to Okoye, one Chukwunonso Emmanuel from Uke, in the Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State, was arrested in Lagos while trying to change the plate number of Duru’s vehicle.
Two more suspects, Okoroigwe Goodness and Innocent Ogu, were also apprehended. Four days later, Okoye made a volte face, dismissing his earlier account that the general had been killed after the criminals collected ransom from his family. The new narrative was that rescue efforts were still on going to free Duru from captivity.
This disturbing trend of targeting serving and retired military personnel in Imo State calls for a new strategy by the government. Perhaps, Governor Hope Uzodimma needs to ask for more support from Abuja. There cannot be meaningful development in a scary environment.
In what has become a yearly ritual, Capt. Tony Enoch (rtd) was assassinated in 2023. He was the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council Chairman for Oru East Local Government Area and a close ally of Uzodimma.
In 2022, Lance Corporal Gloria Mathew was gruesomely murdered, with her fiance, Master Warrant Officer Linus Audu, while they were travelling for their traditional wedding. That was a year before Duru’s seizure, on September 27, 2023. The Police must conduct proper investigations into these dastardly incidents.
The alarming security situation in Imo State calls for the involvement of seasoned professionals, serving and retired. Criminals must not be allowed to dictate the pace
Beyond the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who claimed responsibility for the killing of the military couple, politics should not be ruled out. Enoch, who left the Army as a subaltern, settled for politics and was deeply involved in the re-election campaign of Uzodimma. To dismiss him as just one of those officers will be unfair to his memory.
With Army number N/6250, he was lucky to be out before 1992. Some of his course mates died in the crash that claimed the lives of more than 200 officers. Samuel Ogbeha, D.O. Okoroji, V. U. Mukoro, U.A.M. Balam, B. Daranijo and C. Otti were some of the victims. Decades later, some of their juniors, Gabriel Olonisakin and Kenneth Minimah became Service Chiefs. Duru, grew up in Myoung Barracks, Yaba – Lagos and attended Command Secondary School, Ipaja.
Questions will continue to be asked about how such a thorough professional was abducted without a trace. The alarming security situation in Imo State calls for the involvement of seasoned professionals, serving and retired. Criminals must not be allowed to dictate the pace. No effort should be spared to protect citizens – whether they are in uniforms or civilians.
If these abductions and assassinations are meant to keep military veterans away from politics, it calls for concern. Beginning from the Second Republic, it has been a free space.
Brigadier Hilary Njoku and Col. Patrick Amadi belonged to different parties and Amadi won elections into the House of Representatives. Officers like Col. Lambert Ihenacho and General Lincoln Ogunewe also made attempts at gubernatorial elections and nominations.
As free citizens, the state does not belong to any particular party or freedom fighting group. If the Imo State Government is overwhelmed, Uzodimma could call for more security coverage. A Forward Operations Base should be established by the Nigerian Navy in Oguta, which is part of the much troubled Orlu Zone.
There should also be a fortified Air Force Base around the Sam Mbakwe Airport. A state infiltrated by killer herdsmen and kidnappers will keep investors away. Imo is not at war but battle tested officers are under threat. This is unacceptable.
