From Everest EZIHE, Owerri
8th July 2024
Nigerian security agencies have declared Mr. Emmanuel Emeka Chukwuma, a journalist with SWAT TV Africa, wanted over allegations that he accused the government of sponsoring insecurity and corruption and reported extensively on the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group banned by the Federal Government and designated as a terrorist organisation.
The security agencies, in a statement endorsed by the Imo State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, accused Chukwuma of working closely with the group.
The security agencies further accused IPOB of being responsible for much of the insecurity and security threats affecting the South-East geopolitical region and vowed to deal decisively with any person or group found to be dealing with the prohibited organisation.
They appealed to members of the public who might see the journalist to immediately report his whereabouts to the nearest security agency, saying that efforts were ongoing to apprehend him.
Recall that the previous Wednesday, a friend of the wanted journalist, Benard Nwosu, raised the alarm after security operatives allegedly stormed Chukwuma’s residence at Okwu Uratta, Owerri, in the early hours of the day in search of him.
According to Nwosu, the security operatives arrived at the residence but did not find Chukwuma there. He alleged that they forced their way into the house and ransacked the rooms, turning his properties upside down.
Nwosu further alleged that the incident occurred amid violence in the area, resulting in the deaths of three people, while some people around the neighbourhood were allegedly physically assaulted and injured.
Nwosu said he had not seen his friend since the incident and expressed fears that the security agencies might have used their network to arrest Chukwuma and possibly detain him at an undisclosed police or DSS detention facility.
