The Labour Party (LP) National Vice Chairman, South East, Chief Sunday Innocent Okeke, has condemned yet another onslaught on security operatives who were killed on Tuesday
News broke on Tuesday, September 19, that some Army personnel, policemen, and civil defence were attacked and killed, and their bodies set ablaze in Ehime Mbano in Imo State.
The disturbing video, which made rounds on social media, sparked reactions from concerned Nigerians over the continued attack on innocent residents in the state by these criminal elements.
Reacting to this, Chief Okeke in a statement sent to Overtnews on Friday while condemning the attack said the Nigerian government and particularly the Imo state government have failed in stamping out insecurity in the state and the entire region.
According to the LP chieftain, the state government has abandoned its primary purpose of securing the lives and property of Imolites instead focusing on the November 11 election – the reelection of the state governor – Hope Uzodimma
He lamented that due to the lack of attention to security by the governor, the state has been reduced to a “graveyard, where the populace no longer fears the sight of blood and death as it flows and litters the streets on a daily basis” in which 14 of the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have become haven for criminals.
Chief Okeke urged the state governor, Uzodimma, to restore the confidence bestowed on him and tackle the menace of insecurity in the state even as the governorship election is less than two months away.
He said, “I vehemently condemn the rampant killings that are occurring on a daily basis in Imo state without any form of restraint, particularly the recent incident in Ehime Mbano involving members of the Nigerian army, police, and civil defense.
“The purpose of governance becomes futile if the lives of both the governed and the security agencies are not ensured as the case in Imo state. The state has regrettably descended into a state of lawlessness and total anarchy where individuals are uncertain about their safety in another thirty minutes without nursing the fears of death. Despite these distressing circumstances, the Nigerian government and the Imo State government have failed to take proactive measures to forestall further occurrences and adequately protect its citizens. They passively observe as lives are being destroyed on a daily basis.
“On Tuesday, 19th September, in Ehime Mbano, security officers who were recruited by the federal government of Nigeria were killed, humiliated, and their bodies burnt beyond recognition. These officers had families who depended on them for daily survival, and it is unjust that they had to answer for national calls with their lives.
Unfortunately, this is one of many incidents in Imo state that have been underreported and un-investigated, and no significant major are being put in place to forestall further occurrence,
“The gospel of reelection is the only thing paramount on the lips of the government of Imo state, while the people are left defenceless.
“The high level of governmental intimidations, harassments, and threats to any group or individual who tries to come up with alternative ideas is another issue of concern today.
“As the president of Nigeria, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu should understand that issues affecting any segment of Nigeria should be his concern. Imo state is part of the territory he governs, and he should be concerned about the lives, properties, and wellbeing of the people of Imo State.
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President Tinubu should rise above party affiliations and offer governance to everyone.
“The state of Imo has been tragically reduced to a graveyard, where the populace no longer fears the sight of blood and death as it flows and litters the streets on a daily basis. The sounds of firearms of varying calibres have engulfed the state, causing tensions that pose serious health concerns to both adolescents and the elderly.
“It is beyond comprehension that the government of Imo State has been unable to identify the group responsible for these atrocities over the years and find a way to engage them positively. Instead, all we hear is the term “unknown gunmen,” leaving one to question the effectiveness of the state’s intelligence departments.
“It is imperative that the government of Imo State identifies the source of these unknown gunmen within their territory, what their agitations are, and how the government can engage them in dialogue.
“Over 14 Local Government Areas out of the 27 in Imo State have been overrun by insecurity and killings, with death becoming a normal way of life. Unfortunately, the government of Imo State seems more interested in reelection than finding solutions to this dire situation.
“This level of insecurity and death is unprecedented in the history of Imo State, and it is high time that the government takes decisive action to restore peace and security to the state.
“I respectfully urge the current government of Imo State to prioritize the restoration of confidence among its citizens in the realm of security. It is imperative that the native inhabitants who have been forced to flee the state for the past four years be allowed to return, and that investors once again find Imo State to be an attractive destination for investment, and the state returns to its normal life.
The Govt must equally embrace criticism and ideas from people. The habit of accusing opposition parties in Imo as being responsible for insecurity in the state is pedestrian and must discontinue.
“In the same hand, I condemn the reprisal attack by soldiers on defenceless citizens of Ehime Mbano. On issues such as this, intelligence should be gathered, and the security can’t get credible intelligence from the people by burning their shops and inflicting pains on them. Even in the heat of provocation, our gallant officers must exercise restraint and control their emotions. Theirs is to protect lives and property, not the reverse.
“Furthermore, I implore the federal government to take a vested interest in the current security situation in Imo State and the broader South East region, as the restoration of peace in this region will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the overall recovery of the Nigerian economy.
“A new Nigeria is possible.”
