The Chairman of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Chidiebere Uzor, has denied allegations that he had a hand in the abduction of the senatorial candidate of the Labour Party in Ebonyi South Senatorial District.
News Band had earlier reported that Mr Linus Okorie was allegedly abducted by gunmen suspected to be Ebubeagu security operatives in Ebonyi State.
Dr. David Ogbonna in a statement made on behalf of Linus Okorie CaringHeart Foundation, accused Chidiebere Uzor of masterminding the abduction of Mr Linus Okorie.
Ogbonna also alleged there was plot on ground to torture Mr Linus to death and dump his body at Ebonyi River.
Meanwhile, Chidiebere Uzor, has, however, debunked allegations that he had a hand in the incident.
In a statement, his Special Assistant, Akpuru Anioke, said, “The attention of staff, management, and peace-loving indigenes of Onicha LGA has been drawn to a malicious allegation leveled on our Executive chairman, Hon. Chidibere Uzor, by one Ogbonnaya David from Ohaozara LGA.
“I, on behalf of our amiable boss, wish to categorically inform the general public that the executive chairman of Onicha LGA has never and will never involve in the abduction or arrest of any law-abiding citizen.
“Our peace-loving chairman did not arrange for the alleged abduction/arrest of Hon. Linus Abba Okorie as timidly accused by the named room divider. Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie and Hon. Chidibere Uzor are true and patriotic sons of Onicha Igboeze, and I am vehemently convinced that one cannot plan any evil for the other irrespective of differences in their party ideologies and practices.
“Information on public space has it that Hon. Linus Abah Okorie and three other drugs paddlers were arrested and not abducted by the state security architecture on drug-related case and has been handed over to NDLEA for other necessary actions. For more information, one can contact the NDLEA office at Abakaliki.”
Also, the Onicha council boss, Uzor, in an interview with journalists, said, “I have nothing to do with it. He was not kidnapped. I learnt his City Hub was being used by ‘mkpurumuri’ and ‘loud’ dealers. He is harbouring drug dealers and so he was arrested by security agencies led by NDLEA.”
But the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Ebonyi State denied knowing Linus’ whereabouts, saying he was not in its custody.
The State Commandant, Iyke Uche, said, “We never arrested (him) or was anybody with that name handed over to us. There is nobody like that in our custody.”