Two Feared Dead As Security Operatives Reportedly Raze Hotel, House, Shops In Imo

Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodinma. Photo credit: Google

A hotel, a residential house as well as about 15 shops were reportedly burnt down by security agents operating in no fewer than 15 vehicles in Orlu, Imo State, on Sunday.

The incidents happened at Okporo and Obor communities carved out of Umutanze in the Orlu Local Government Area of the state.

According to community sources, the security agents, who came for the operation, supervised the burning of the hotel before they left.

It was gathered that the Ezeacho Hotel, which is located on the Okporo Mgbidi Road behind St Damian’s Hospital mortuary, Okporo, is owned by a businessman, Chinonso Uba.

Two persons were said to have lost their lives during the operation, while some guests were also arrested.

The hotelier’s country home in the Obor community was also burnt.

While the reason for the burning of the hotel, house and shops had not been ascertained as of press time, it was gathered that the hotelier’s mother, Mrs Dorathy Uba, is a popular politician in the local government area.

A source in the area said that the hotelier lived with his family in the hotel.

It could not be ascertained if the hotelier was among the persons arrested by the security agents.

According to Punch Metro, a source, who witnessed the operation, said, “The hotel is on the Okporo-Mgbidi Road behind St Damian Hospital mortuary, Okporo. The owner of the hotel is Chinonso Uba. I know him very well. He lives with his family in the hotel. The hotel is a storey building.

“He (Chinonso) is from the Obor community. Obor was created from Umutanze. Two persons were killed in the hotel during the operation. Chinonso lives with family in the hotel. His mother is a popular politician in the area. Her name is Mrs Dorathy Uba. The security agents cordoned off the area and made sure that the hotel was completely burnt.

“The stern looking security agents also went to the hotelier’s village house at Obor community and set it ablaze. They also burnt no fewer than 15 shops, where caskets were being sold opposite the hospital.”

When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, Michael Abattam, promised to call back when he gets a feedback about the incident, but he had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

A police source, however, confirmed the operation and said the command was committed to securing the
state.