BY DAN OPARA#
A hotel Guard at East Gate Hotel,Owerri, Mr. Chizaram Anayo was last Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018 injured by operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. They were attached to officials of Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO, Imo State.
Trouble began when ENTRACO officials went after a tricycle operator who flouted the state government ban which prohibited tricycle operators from operating in the State. The tricycle operator in a bid to escape the chase ran into the premises of hotel.
A face – off between the ENTRACO officials and the keke operator ensued which led the NSCDC operative to fire a bullet which hit the security Guard, Mr. Chizaram Anayo, aged 35 who came to intervene in the matter.
An eye witness account told our reporter that the operative who had a G4 sophisticated rifle was controlled by his colleagues who collected the rifle from him.
The security Guard was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention
Speaking to newsmen at the Police Station, the victim, Mr Anayo who hails Ohaji/Egbema said that they ran into his Hotel with the Keke Driver and started fighting. He said he only raised an alarm that they should leave the Hotel premises before he was shot on his right leg.
The victim also claimed that the Imo State Commissioner for Public Safety,Hon.Chidi Nwaturuocha was among those who came into the Hotel with the team.
The Manager of the Hotel, Pastor Mike Mbata confirmed that the Public Safety Commissioner was in the crew of the team.
He however expressed bitterness against the unlawful and untrained manner of the Civil Defence Corps operative and called on the law enforcement agencies to ensure that the offender is brought to book to face the wrath of the law.
Pastor Mbata called on the authorities to sack and dismiss the officer who shot his staff.
Spokesman of the NSCDC, Mr, Norwell Chimeziri said he will get back to our reporter when he was called to speak on the matter.