THE senator representing Abia South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Enyinnaya Abaribe was subjected to a humiliating experience by soldiers deployed to his home state of Abia.
It was gathered that Senator Abaribe was twice same day forced out of his Land Cruiser bulletproof SUV, and briefly detained by sedentary soldiers despite his identification by his police security detail, Joe,
Senator Abaribe was said to be on his way to a funeral ceremony in Obingwa when he encountered a military barricade at Itu Ngwa Village where his vehicle was stopped. Despite attempts by his police security detail to explain his identity, the soldiers demanded that the senator alight from his vehicle. After a delay, he was eventually allowed to proceed.
At the funeral, Abaribe shared his experience, revealing that he contacted Governor Alex Otti to issue a statement to help calm the tense situation. However, Governor Otti declined, citing concerns that such a statement might exacerbate the situation.
On his way back from the funeral, Abaribe faced a similar ordeal when another group of soldiers stopped him and again ordered him out of his bulletproof SUV. Despite introducing himself as a senator, the soldiers detained him briefly before releasing him.
Choosing to avoid further confrontation, Abaribe detoured to Umuahia instead of heading directly to his village, Ohuru in Obingwa Local Government Area. He subsequently returned to Abuja on the first flight available on Friday.
This incident occurred following the killing of five military personnel at the Obikabia junction military checkpoint on Thursday during the 30 May Biafra Day celebrations.
In the wake of the attack by unknown gunmen, security forces heightened their presence, blocking roads in strategic areas of Aba North Local Government Area and extending into several villages in the Obingwa area.
Eighteen-Eleven Media