From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The sleepy town of Awlaw in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State was thrown into confusion on Tuesday after security operatives reportedly whisked away the Coordinator of the Awlaw Strategic Development Initiative, Mr. Imah Felix, to Abuja.
The operatives allegedly stormed the community in a commando-style operation and arrested Mr. Imah at an undisclosed restaurant where he had gone to have breakfast.
Sources claimed that people around the restaurant were thrown into panic and had to scamper for safety as the operatives carried out the arrest.
The joint team of police officers and soldiers reportedly took the coordinator to the Police Area Command in Oji River before proceeding to Abuja through the Force Headquarters.
Speaking with our correspondent over the telephone, Mr. Imah alleged that his arrest was connected to his advocacy and activities aimed at advancing the interests of his community.
He accused the Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Senator Osita Ngwu, of masterminding his arrest. However, the allegation had yet to be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Mr. Felix Imah has repeatedly accused the senator of failing to account for funds and allocations allegedly received for the development of Awlaw community.
Imah, who is also the founder of the Centre for Strategic Leadership and Youth Orientation (CENSTLEYO), vowed that no amount of attacks, intimidation, harassment or arrests would deter him from pursuing what he described as the cause of the Awlaw people.
When our correspondent visited the Police Area Command in Oji River to obtain the police’s perspective on the incident, the Area Commander was unavailable.
However, an officer who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed Mr. Imah’s arrest, stating that the coordinator was already on his way to Abuja in the company of officers from the Force Headquarters.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued regarding the circumstances surrounding the arrest or the specific allegations against Mr. Imah.