July 04, (THEWILL) – Three Owerri-based Journalists, Joshua Chibuzom, Anselm Anokwute and Kelechi Ugo, were on Tuesday, threatened by gunmen along Douglas road, Owerri, Imo State capital.
Narrating their ordeal, which he described as a terrible encounter, Kelechi Ugo, who said he was down with Malaria, explained that he went to Douglas road in company of his colleagues to buy some drugs at the Milan pharmaceutical shop.
According to him, immediately they came out and headed to enter their car at the place it was parked, opposite Orchard Pharmaceutical shop, a young man accosted them and commanded the journalists not go that he was one of the “Umuoma” boys, known as Unknown gunmen.
He narrated, “We are the Umuoma, the Unknown gunmen and IPOB members. We came to Owerri from Aba. We want to go back now. We are not beggars or Armed robbers, what we just need now is money to fuel our vehicle to get back to Aba”, the boy said.
“Incidentally, the man forced us to bring out some cash. My colleagues and I gave them some money. After collection, they expressed appreciation and told us to continue to pray for them and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
“The young men also blessed us, praying that God shall continue to replenish our pockets…That it shall be well with us. That was exactly what happened.
“We tried to figure out if they had gun or other dangerous ammunition with them. For the fact that they said if we fail to comply, we would be published on one of the National newspapers the following day, it became a threat.”
The journalists further said they tried to see if the men were really what they claimed to be, saying that the gunmen did not show them any ammunition or gun during their operation, saying it was a terrible experience.
