The Imo State Government on Thursday asked citizens to ‘arrest’ Rochas Okorocha, over alleged assault on a government official, Jasper Ndubuaku.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Uche Onyeaguocha, gave the order after the Chairman of the Recovery of Government Properties, Jasper Ndubuaku, was allegedly assaulted at Mr Okorocha’s residence.

Mr Onyeaguocha said that the state had also placed Mr Okorocha on security watch and urged Imo citizens to arrest him and alert the government whenever they found him in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a video, trending online on Thursday, captured some thugs beating Mr Ndubuaku at Mr Okorocha’s residence on Spibatt Avenue, Owerri.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Rabiu Ladodo, and SSG confirmed the incident to journalists at a joint news briefing in Owerri.

They announced that a citizen’s arrest had been declared on Mr Okorocha over the incident.

They claimed that Okorocha hired thugs to attack Mr Ndubuaku, who doubles as Special Adviser to Governor Emeka Ihedioha on security matters.

They said that the senator representing Imo West would be arrested and prosecuted anytime he entered the state.

NAN reports that the incident was happening barely 24 hours after traditional rulers in the state issued a stern warning to Mr Okorocha against disrupting the activities of the recovery team.

The commissioner of police said that police would investigate the senator’s involvement in the matter.

Narrating his ordeal to NAN, Mr Ndubuaku alleged that he was beaten at Mr Okorocha’s residence and thrown into a gutter by some thugs.

He further alleged that he was first held hostage for some hours by the thugs in the presence of security men attached to Mr Okorocha’s residence.

He said that the recovery team obtained a court order to search Mr Okorocha’s house.

“We got a court order to recover stolen properties kept in Okorocha’s house and when we got to his house on Thursday, armed thugs attacked us.

“There are twenty government vehicles in his house, four speed boats, one movable Crain and generator sets, which we went to recover before the incident.

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“We will not give up the battle, we will go back to his house because the property belongs to Imo government,” Mr Ndubuaku said.

Relating to the government’s order, Sam Onwuemeodo, the Special Assistant on Media to Mr Okorocha, said the recovery committee was attacked by the former governor’s sympathisers and passersby.

He said that the recovery team went to Mr Okorocha’s house without a court order, adding that they invaded Mr Okorocha’s residence with no fewer than 50 thugs.

(NAN)