By Godwin Akomah, Umuahia
UMUAHIA: The Chairman of the Abia State chapter of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro, has given insight into the failed bid the operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Abuja to abridge his freedom.
Chief Okoro who alleged that the operatives attempted to unlawfully arrest him at the OMPAN state secretariat in Umuahia, Abia State, on December 6, 2024, said the security agents, led by one Mr. Francis Atama, arrived at the OMPAN secretariat under the guise of seeking media services.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, December 13, 2024, Okoro recounted the alleged attempt to abduct him.
He said the Atama who claimed to have a story involving a kidnapping related to a royal tussle in Enugu, which he wanted published without delay but his motive arose suspicion when he insisted on speaking only with Okoro, even as he declined the intervention of OMPAN’s secretary, Dr. Steve Unegbu.
However, when Okoro began a preliminary investigation, he discovered that Atama harboured hidden motive best known to him and his team.
“I discovered that all his claims were false and designed to lure me to the office for an unlawful arrest or possible harm,” he said.
The journalist who was not in the state capital at the time, refused to meet with the officers, thereby foiling their plans.
According to Okoro, there was no official invitation extended to him before the officers attempted to arrest him.
“This was a calculated attempt to disgrace my office and remand me in prison during the festive season. If this was not the plan, they would have done the right thing by sending an official invitation,” Okoro stated.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, has indicated that there was no pending case against Okoro, advising him to visit the state’s Commissioner of Police(CP) for clarification, which he adhered to by visiting the CP on Monday, December 9, 2024.
The OMPAN chairman has, however, decried the unprofessional approach of the FCID officers, particularly their recourse to concealing their identities and intentions.
He described it as a gross misuse of police authority, action he reckoned as being targeted at intimidating or silencing him.
“I have never jumped bail or been detained for any alleged offense in my life. This is clearly an attempt to intimidate me and embarrass the office I represent,” Okoro said.
Okoro has filed a formal complaint with the Complaint Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He has also called on the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), to investigate and address the unprofessional conduct of Mr. Atama and his team.
Okoro expressed gratitude to the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, for condemning the failed abduction attempt.
He reiterated OMPAN’s commitment to collaborating with the police in the fight against crime and ensuring a peaceful society.
“I want to categorically state that I will not be intimidated by anyone. This is a clear misuse of security agencies, and it has failed,” Okoro said.
