DSS, businessman trade blames over fracas in Awka hotel

AN Awka-based hotel proprietor, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Nwokoye, and Anambra State Command of the Department of State Services, DSS, are trading blames over a scuffle between the former and some officials of DSS in the businessman’s hotel.

The state Director of DSS, Mr. Alex Okeiyi, alleged that the businessman and his workers held his men hostage, when they went to perform their official duty, adding that the command would press charges against him for assault occasioning harm and hostage taking.

Okeiyi said his men had gone to rescue their colleagues held hostage by the hotel proprietor, adding that following attack on his men, one of the staff was seriously injured and taken to DSS clinic in Awka for treatment.

He said: “Nwokoye, his wife and his hotel staff held three DSS staff hostage at May-Roses Hotel until the office sent reinforcement to secure their release.

“People should learn to respect security operatives because we are working for them. Our men are targets of hoodlums all the time and that is why the people should help us.”

However, in a swift reaction, Nwokoye, who claimed he was going blind following the beating he received from DSS operatives, said he was assaulted for refusing to release information on 22 expatriate medical doctors invited by Governor Willie Obiano to treat indigent and less-privileged persons in the state.

He said the DSS men took him and his wife, Jessica, to their office at Amawbia, where they were brutally dealt with.

Nwokoye said: “Three men walked into the hotel and demanded for the list and photocopies of the passports of the expatriates, but were politely told that they were guests of the state government.

“I, however, demanded for the operatives’ identities because we did not know them. They refused and one of them said they will deal with me.

“I moved outside the room and called the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Central Police Station. I also ordered my people to lock the hotel gate.

“It was like they called their office for reinforcement because about 20 minutes later, some people drove in with siren and bundled us into their vehicle and took us to their office where we were dumped in their cell.”

– Vanguard