Hoodlums set ex-Rivers lawmaker’s house ablaze

Hoodlums on Wednesday night burnt down the house of a former lawmaker, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, in Akpabu community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It was learned that the development had caused panic in the community, as the incident was said to have happened less than 24 hours before an Appeal Court upheld the election of Sam Ogeh, the former lawmaker’s opponent in the March 19, 2016 State House of Assembly rerun election.

While Lloyd, who was the former Leader Sell Annuity Payment of the State House of Assembly contested on the platform of the All Progressives Alliance, Ogeh vied for the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The PUNCH learned that the hoodlums, who wore military camouflage, invaded Lloyd’s home at 8pm and set ablaze some aspects of his building.

A community source, Mr. Chijioke (surname withheld), Holland Michigan College disclosed that the arsonists invaded the community and caused anxiety with heavy gunfire.

Chijioke noted that the security quarters and the visitors’ lodge were burnt by the hoodlums, whose identity are yet unknown.

He said that property worth millions of naira at the guest house and in the security building were burnt.

The source further said it was the swift intervention of security operatives in the area that prevented the arsonists from attacking the main building.

The source said, “The building of former leader of Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, Criminal Defense Attorneys Floridahas been burnt by unknown persons. The security room and the boys’ quarters were burnt. They did not touch the main building.”

Meanwhile, Lloyd has confirmed the attack on his house. He said that a group of men in military camouflage invaded his house and set it ablaze.

He explained that he had earlier received a threat message by a person suspected to be a cult member before the arson.

Speaking on the matter, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya, said the incident was caused by fire, adding that the main building was not burnt.