MISSING LP EBONYI SENATORIAL CANDIDATE IN OUR CUSTODY — POLICE

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Police in Ebonyi State say the missing Labour Party (LP) Senatorial Candidate for Ebonyi South, Chief Linus Okorie, is in his custody.

A statement earlier circulated by one Dr. David Ogbonna allegedly raised alarm that Chief Okorie was abducted by unknown gunmen on the Old Enugu while driving to his residence in Abakaliki.

Dr. Ogbu in the statement further claimed that Chief Okorie had been severely tortured by his alleged abductors.

Also a youth leader in Onicha Igboeze LGA, the hometown of Chief Okorie, Mr. Sly Ogbu said the abduction was reported to the Police Command.

Mr. Ogbu, who spoke with journalists in Abakaliki, noted that the group was surprised over a worrying twist in the saga as a statement credited to Onicha Local Government claimed that LP Senatorial candidate was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on drug peddling related offences and not abduction.

Mr. Ogbu said when contacted, NDLEA denied having Chief Linus Okorie in it’s custody.

However, a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Mr. Chris Anyanwu, explained that following report of his alleged abduction, operatives of the Command swung into action and traced the two time House of Representatives to the Head Office of Ebubeagu Security Outfit at the Old Government House, Abakaliki.

The statement further clarified that Chief Okorie was arrested by Ebubeagu for allegedly provoking violence that engulfed his Onicha Local Government Area sometime ago resulting in the killing of seven persons by a seperatist group.

It also alleged that Chief Okorie had severally refused to honour police invitation for spreading fake news against Governor David Umahi over a financial impropriety.

According to the statement, Chief Okorie also has a pending case over alleged drug related offences in his bar in Abakaliki.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU