Posted by By VAL OKARA, Owerri on
An Akwa Ibom-based businessman is still in shock after his life investments went down the drain in a tinkle of an eye, courtesy of rampaging youths of Ete and Ikot Abasi.
An Akwa Ibom-based businessman is still in shock after his life investments went down the drain in a tinkle of an eye, courtesy of rampaging youths of Ete and Ikot Abasi.
Chief John Sunny Ezelagu, 51, who hails from Awomma in Oru East LGA of Imo State had spent nine years in Ikot Abasi, carrying out his legitimate business of bread baking and hotel management. But on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, his hotel OMA ROYAL PLAZA HOTEL which was established in 2003 was looted and property worth millions of Naira destroyed.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Chief Ezelagu popularly called 'Eze Royal" said that he received a telephone call on the fateful day at about 2.30pm informing him that his hotel has been destroyed and valuables looted by irate youths.
'When I returned the next day, what I saw was like a film or dream that cannot be imagined. Whatever that was not destroyed was looted. In fact, my once equipped and lively hotel was reduced to a ghost place. My bakery was not spared as they also looted all the valuables and money as well as harassed my wife. The damages and loss are estimated at N5.3million
'The miscreants destroyed and looted all the valuables in the hotel, including various brands of television sets, bedding, musical instruments, satellite decoders, air conditioners. My Mercedes Benz230 v-boot car and one of our customer's were smashed and all important parts removed.
'They did not stop there, they went into my residence in the town and looted all my electronic gadgets, even broke into my bedroom. The mob also chased my wife to another compound demanding money from her.
'I have suffered untold humiliation, torture and victimization in Ikot Abasi since my arrival. I just decided to be indomitable. At a particular time when my bread business was booming, massive campaign of calumny was carried out alleging that I utilized water from the gutter for the production of bread.
'I called on the federal, state and local governments to enact laws that will guarantee the safety of life and property of every Nigeian residing in any part of the country. I am also appealing on the Akwa Ibom State government to assist me get back on my feet and ensure that those who did the evil acts are brought to book."