By: Emmanuel Nlewedum
Mother of missing PDP councillorship aspirant in the forthcoming local government Council elections in Rivers State, Hanson Chuku has been reported dead.
Hanson Chuku, a fresh graduate from the Rivers State owned Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuorlumeni, Port Harcourt, preparing for his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, call up was reported missing on Tuesday 26 January, 2021 at his hometown, Rundele in Emohua local government area of the state.
A family source, Friday Chuku who told our correspondent that his mother, Felicia Chuku died as a result of the shock of Hanson’s disappearance said she had been unconscious since the incidence occured.
Friday Chuku said his younger brother went missing few days after having a misunderstanding with members of the disbanded local security outfit in the area, Rundele/Odegu Security and Peace Advisory Council (ROSPAC).
He accused ROSPAC members of having a hand in his brother’s disappearance.
“I am calling on the security agencies to come to our aid. For now, we don’t know his way about.
“My younger brother, Hanson Chuku was arrested by ROSPAC, myself too, I was arrested same night. They took us all the way to Bayelsa Zone 16, all these boils down to the petition they wrote against us. The Assistant Commissioner of Police who attended to the matter asked us to come back on the 21st, which we did, surprisingly on 26th, Hanson got missing.
Meanwhile, a group, Concerned Youths, Friends, Students, Associates and relatives of Hanson Chuku has promised to keep calling for justice for their missing friend.
The group led by Comrade Unity Hekerem in a protest letter addressed to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police and Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly called for speedy investigation into the disappearance of Hanson Chuku and arrest of those behind it.
“We wish to register our protest over the sudden disappearance of our friend, fellow comrade and brother which took place on Tuesday 26th January, 2021 in his home town (Rundele).
“Two weeks before his disappearance, there was a verbal fight between him and men of the Rundele chapter of ROSPAC which led to several inhuman mayhem unleashed on him.
“This verbal fight and threat of life by the aforementioned local security organ of the community, (ROSPAC) was born out of the fact that Comr. Hanson Chukwu was bold enough to speak ill of the illegal oil bunkering activities done under the watch of the local vigilante group (ROSPAC).
“Comr. Hanson had severally complained over the aquatic life of the community which has been devastated as a result of oil bunkering, as fire continually engulf the bunkering site and by extension spread to the only River which is also the major source of livelihood of the community.
“On Tuesday 26th February 2021, Comr. Hanson Chukwu woke up and went to a nearby bush to ease himself as usual but never returned up till date. This bush however is not up to three poles far from the ROSPAC station/office in that area.
“Since 26th of January till date, no arrest has been made on his disappearance. We are calling on security agencies and the government to swing into actions in order to serve justice on the perpetrators of this unlawful gross fundamental human right abuse on Hanson Chuku and also rescue Rundele community at large. As I speak, people now die silently, people no longer talk, if you talk they beat you up and arrest you.”
The group added that a woman, who allegedly saw when Hanson was being hijacked by the suspected ROSPAC personnel has also gone missing.
“It is abysmal to mention that a lady identified as Vicky Wamadi whose house is not far from Hanson’s compound, confirmed to have seen unidentified men with face mask carrying Hanson to the bush path.
“This woman is however nowhere to be found since the disbandment of all local security outfits in the Local Government by the Council Chairman, Tom Aliezi,” they said.
When contacted, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni confirmed the incident, disclosing that the divisional police officer of Rumuji in Emohua local government area reported the incident and that it’s receiving attention.
“We have commenced investigation into the disappearance of Mr Hanson Chuku.”
“No arrest has been made, but detectives from the state police headquarters have taken over the case.”
