By Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Imo Chapter has condemned in all entirety the burning of the country homes of Imo State Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo, and two other prominent sons of Amagu Ihube community in the Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.
SWAN, Imo Chapter in a press statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Everest Ezihe, and Secretary, Tunde Liadi said it was unfortunate that arsonists could descend so low to destroy properties of hard-working and patriotic political appointees whose under-watch sports in the State are enjoying a rebirth.
It was reported that gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday burnt the country home of the Imo Sports commissioner and that of former Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Land and Urban Planning, under Chief Ikedi Ohakim and Owelle Rochas Okorocha, respectively Prof Nnamdi Obiaraeri, and a retired Director of Department of Security Service, Emeka Ngwu, who also lost an elderly woman who was trapped in the inferno and roasted like yam.
Imo Sports Journalists most sincerely commiserates with Honourable Okoronkwo and all the people affected by the dastard acts and called on Imo State Government and security agencies to seriously investigate the immediate and remote cause of the action of the arsonists and also bring the culprits to book.
“We woke up to hear the sad report of the torching of the country home of the hard-working Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo, and other two sons of Amagu Ihube community in the Okigwe Local Government Area. We are saddened by the development,” The press statement started.
“It is close to the general elections and is unhappy to be fed with this type of information. We call on the Imo State Government to conduct a proper investigation into the incident and strive to bring the arsonists to book.
“We will appeal to Honourable Okoronkwo to take heart and not allow the barbaric act to affect the good job he has started to reposition sports in Imo State. We sincerely pray that the arsonists are caught and made to pay for their actions and inactions.”
