LP has condemns killing and subsequent burning of homes and businesses in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area after militants in Imo State killed security agents there.
In a statement released by the party’s National Vice Chairman (South East), Chief Innocent Okeke, on Saturday, the party characterised Governor Hope Uzodimma as being oblivious to the killings and damage taking place in the state.
Gunmen attacks and kills 5 guards
According to jerrymusa.com, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, unidentified gunmen attacked and killed five security guards working for the Joint Task Force’s Operation Search and Flush before setting fire to their two patrol cars near a road in the Obowo community of the state’s Ehime Mbano Local Government Area.
In what looked to be a retaliatory attack on the neighbourhood, members of the Nigerian Army allegedly later returned and set fire to marketplaces, homes, and businesses.
The LP responded to both attacks by denouncing the everyday rampant killings in Imo state that take place without any sort of control and claiming that the recent tragedy in Ehime Mbano was the culmination of it all.
Lives and properties are not safe
The party asserts that if security agencies’ and the governed’s lives aren’t guaranteed, like in Imo state, “the purpose of governance becomes worthless. Regrettably, the country has degenerated into complete disorder, where people cannot be sure of their safety for another 30 minutes without worrying about dying.
“Despite these upsetting events, the Nigerian government and the government of Imo State have not taken proactive steps to prevent similar incidents from happening again and to sufficiently protect its inhabitants. They watch helplessly as lives are obliterated every day.
Security guards hired by the Nigerian federal government were assassinated, humiliated, and their remains were burned beyond recognition on Tuesday, September 19th, in Ehime Mbano. It was unfair that these policemen had to risk their lives to respond to national calls when their families were reliant on them for everyday existence. Unfortunately, this is only one of many underreported and uninvestigated events in Imo state, and no meaningful steps are being taken to prevent it from happening again.
Election build-up
The Imo state government’s “gospel of re-election is the only thing paramount on its lips, while the people are left defenceless,” the party lamented, rather than seeking long-term answers to the issues.
“Another issue of concern today is the high level of governmental intimidation, harassment, and threats against any group or person who attempts to come up with alternative ideas,” it continued.
“It is incomprehensible that the Imo State administration hasn’t been able to pin down the organisation behind these crimes and find a productive method to work with them throughout the years. The only phrase we hear is “unknown gunmen,” which raises concerns about the efficiency of the state’s intelligence agencies.
The Government must fish out the culprits
“The administration of Imo State must determine the origin of these unidentified gunmen operating within its borders, the nature of their agitations, and the best way to engage them in discussion.
“Death has become a common way of life in more than 14 of Imo State’s 27 Local Government Areas, where insecurity and killings have taken over. Unfortunately, the Imo State government appears more focused on winning reelection than on finding a solution to this desperate situation.
However, the party denounced as horrifying the soldiers’ retaliation attack on the helpless residents of Ehime Mbano.
Security personnels must maintain composure
Intelligence should be obtained on matters like these, and the security cannot obtain reliable information from the populace by burning down their businesses and torturing them. Even when provoked, our brave policemen must maintain composure and emotional control. Their job is to safeguard people and property, not the other way around.
The restoration of peace in the South East will surely make a substantial contribution to the overall recovery of the Nigerian economy, according to LP, who also urged the federal government to pay particular attention to the current security situation in Imo State.