Rochas Okorocha lay on the floor and begged for help during the invasion of his Abuja residence by security operatives on Tuesday.

As widely reported in the media, officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) laid siege to the former governor’s residence on Tuesday afternoon.

After a standoff that lasted for over five hours, armed security operatives broke into Okorocha’s apartment and whisked him away.

Sounds of gunshots rent the air as the operatives forced their way into Okorocha’s expansive living room where he and his family members laid on the floor to apparently escape being hit by stray bullets.

“Please help! Call for my rescue. Come and help me, my Lord, My God. Come and rescue me,” Okorocha said in trembling voice.

Okorocha was later seen in a video where he said it was his last appearance for the night.

“EFCC is here with some gunmen; they have broken all my bullet proof doors. This is my last appearance. They are coming in to shoot,” the senator said briefly before taking cover.

After Okorocha was arrested, a shouting march ensued between some persons suspected to be his aides and some EFCC officials.

The cause of the argument was unknown but the white Toyota Hiace bus the senator was forced into wait for at least three minutes before it joined the convoy of security operatives that raided the residence.

According to an official of the anti-graft agency, Okorocha would be detained at headquarters of the commission till May 30 when he would be arraigned.

While addressing journalists before his arrest, Okorocha wondered why the security agents would hold him hostage.

But EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said the move followed the alleged refusal of the former governor to honour several invitations extended to him after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the commission.

Uwujaren recalled that the EFCC had on January 24, 2022, filed a 17-count charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9billion against Okorocha.

He said the case was assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja but attempts to arraign Okorocha was twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes.

Daily Trust