From Princely Onyenwe
Just few hours ago, unidentified gunmen attacked the premises of All Seasons Hotel Owerri Imo state Nigeria.
The sporadic shootings turned the entire area desolate at the time when this shootings was going on and people ran for their dear lives thinking it was the usual attack by unknown Gunmen on a Sit-At-Home day ordered by IPOB.
9News Nigeria (Owerri) reports that the entire Havana Cinema premises was sealed amidst heavy gunshots by yet to be identified enforcement agents of government Monday 30-01-2023 while investigation lasts.
Workers were bundled and whisked away by the officers who claimed to have come by the order of Imo state government to enforce consumption tax of 34Million naira owed by the company, 9News Nigeria gathered.
The premises houses NV broadcasting company, Boss Radio and BizziBodiFm Owerri. Havana Cenima, All Seasons Hotel are all cited same premises where the trigger happy gunmen attacked today Monday.
The whereabout of the workers who were taken away by police are yet to be established.
While the Director of the business spoke to Imo people through one of his established investment, BizziBodiFm Owerri, Evangelist Mike Ikoku told Imolites that even the staff of the Radio in the office are held hostage.
Radio workers cannot go out because the entire premises is sealed. He has immediately raised alarm while calling on the people of the state and the security to help out.
According to Mike Ikoku, my business premises was heavily cordoned by uniform officers who identified themselves as law enforcement agents of Government on recovery of consumption tax from business premises.
“In a moment I was trying to verify their identify, they started shooting more than 30 gun shots to clear their way and seal off the business premises where Havana Cinema, Boss Radio, All Seasons Hotel and BizziBodiFm Owerri are located.
While asked if he was aware of the levy the government agents came to enforce, Mike Ikoku said the matter is in court and the charges placed on his Havana Cinema and Boss Radio is too high to comprehend.
“Government cannot enforce such payment by shooting sporadically and sealing business premises in such an unethical manner at this time when the entire system is hot on people. How can Havana Cinema raise the whooping sum of Thirty Four million (N34) Naira consumption tax imposed on us by Government?
“My workers were whisked away by the agents and up till now, at the time of this report, the company management cannot say for sure their whereabout and the actual location they were taken to.
How can Government enforce 34 Million Naira consumption tax on Havana Cinema that feed on mere pizza, popcorn business, Ikoku asked?
Our correspodent in Owerri reports that the attack on the premises of Havana Cinema, Boss Radio and BizziBodiFm Owerri came from the directive of government to recover consumption tax forcefully from business premises after several times of warning to the owners who went to court for enforcement of their rights.
Havana Cinemas Ltd is a three screen cinema with Cutting-edge technology, located at Havana Place, All Seasons Hotel, Owerri.
This presumed taskforce agents were sent to enforce levy Collection, Seal Offices but regrettedly they took away the workers of Havana cinema Owerri on gunshots.
9News Nigeria (Owerri) For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526
