‘My life in danger’ – Enugu Reps candidate accuses police of withdrawing security details

All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Representatives candidate for Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani constituency, Mr. Sam Ekwueme has cried out to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, claiming that his life is in utmost danger.

Ekwueme’s claim was contained in a letter to the IGP through his lawyer, Ejike Ugwu.

While alleging of a clandestine move to attack him, the Reps candidate said the Police Area Commander of Udenu, ACP Unaam Akaninyene sent a signal and withdrew all the officers attached to him on Feb. 14, 2023.

He noted that the development came to him as a rude shock, adding that he applied for police protection in view of the security situation in Enugu State.

“Our client all these while has been living under an imminent threat as cases of harassment and assaults have been serially reported while members and supporters of our clients have been law abiding despite pockets of provocation,” the lawyer said.

He said upon the shocking withdrawal of his client’s security detail, he reached out to the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ammani, who he said denied knowledge of the development.

He quoted the CP as saying: “that he is not aware of the move to withdraw the security details of Chief Ekwueme.

“That it is a wrong move considering the timing and an attempt exposing him to danger.

“That Chief Ekwueme should come and see him in his office so that the issue will be resolved immediately.”

Ugwu, however, said the CP later referred his client to the Area Commander instead of the earlier scheduled meeting, adding that upon meeting with the ACP, he stood his ground that he was acting on the directive of the Police Commissioner.

He lamented that subsequent phone calls he placed to the CP were never answered till date.

“He is no longer taking our calls and that of our client. We are worried with the development because all the officers acting this are aware of the security situation and they still want to expose our client to danger.

“Some persons last week boasted that the security details of our client will be withdrawn and that soon he will be cut to size.

“We are disappointed that the above-mentioned officers have decided to undermine and compromise President Muhammadu Buhari’s position about transparent elections and your resolve to ensure that the Police maintains neutrality throughout the electioneering process,” he stated.

While disclosing that other politicians in the State were still enjoying police protection, Ugwu called on the IGP to use his good office to save Ekwueme’s life.

He specifically urged him to “order immediate restoration of his security details as the Enugu Command is playing politics with lives and property.

“That you please transfer the Area Commander, Udenu Command and other top police officers out of Enugu State Command, as majority of them are already partisan.

“That supporters of our client should be protected and allowed to go on with their campaign.”

When contacted, Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Daniel Ndukwe said he was not aware of such development.

He, however, said security matters were not meant to be discussed on phone, adding the petitioner ought to have come to the CP’s office.

He advised the petitioner to make out time and see the CP.

“If you call and the person did not take the call, you come to the office; let him come and make the case directly. Let him meet the CP; it is not a media thing. If he has any challenge, why didn’t he come to meet with the CP in the office?

“As we speak, I don’t know when the person called; like today we have been busy; if the person has some concern, it is not a phone matter. We are talking about your security and you talking on the phone. Doesn’t the CP have an office?” Ndukwe queried.