“Over 14 of the 27 Local Government Areas in the state of Imo have been completely overtaken by insecurity and violence, and death has become an accepted part of everyday life in these areas. Sadly, it appears as though the current government of Imo State is more concerned with reelection than it is with finding solutions to this critical crisis.
The Labour Party has issued a statement of condemnation on the burning of homes and businesses in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area by troops in response to the killing of security agents in the state of Imo by armed individuals.
In a statement released on Saturday, the party’s National Vice Chairman for the South East, Chief Innocent Okeke, referred to Governor Hope Uzodimma as “clueless” in light of the recent killings and damage that had taken place in the state.
According to a report that was published by ProbitasNews on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, some gunmen who had not yet been identified attacked and killed five security agents who were attached to the Joint Task Force, Operation Search and Flush (OP SAF), and then burned their two patrol vehicles along a road in the Obowo community in the Obowo Local Government Area of the state. The incident took place in the Obowo community.
After some time had passed, soldiers from the Nigerian Army allegedly returned to the hamlet and carried out what appeared to be a retaliatory attack on the residents of the neighborhood by torching markets, residences, and businesses.
In response to both attacks, the LP issued a condemnation of the unchecked killings that are taking place on a daily basis in the state of Imo without any sort of control, pointing out that the most recent tragedy in Ehime Mbano was the culmination of everything that had been going on.
The party asserts that “the purpose of governance becomes futile if the lives of both the governed and the security agencies are not ensured as is the case in Imo state,” and that this is the situation in Imo state. The state has regretfully plunged into a state of lawlessness and absolute chaos, and individuals do not know if they will be secure for the next half-hour without nursing the anxieties of dying.
“Despite these troubling circumstances, the government of Nigeria and the administration of Imo State have failed to take preventative measures to avoid such occurrences and to protect its population in an adequate manner. They take no action and simply watch as many lives are lost on a daily basis.
“On Tuesday, September 19th, in the town of Ehime Mbano, security officers who had been hired by the federal government of Nigeria were murdered, publicly humiliated, and their bodies were burned beyond recognition. It was unfair that these cops had to put their lives on the line to respond pleas for help from the government when they supported families that relied on them for daily sustenance. “Unfortunately, this is one of many incidents in the state of Imo that have been underreported and uninvestigated, and no significant measures are being put in place to prevent further occurrences at this time.”
The party expressed sorrow over the fact that, rather than finding long-term answers to the issues, the “gospel of re-election is the only thing paramount on the lips of the government of Imo State, while the people are left defenceless.”
It went on to say that “another matter of concern in the modern world is the high level of intimidations, harassment, and threats made by the government toward any group or individual who endeavors to come up with alternative ideas.”
“It is incomprehensible that the administration of Imo State has been unable, over the course of these many years, to locate the organization that is responsible for these crimes and discover a way to interact with them in a constructive manner. Instead, the only thing we have heard is the phrase “unknown gunmen,” which makes one wonder how competent the state’s intelligence departments actually are.
“It is of the utmost importance that the administration of Imo State determines the origin of these unidentified gunmen operating within their borders, what their grievances are, and how the government can have a conversation with them.
“Over 14 of the 27 Local Government Areas in the state of Imo have been completely overtaken by insecurity and violence, and death has become an accepted part of everyday life in these areas. Sadly, it appears as though the current government of Imo State is more concerned with reelection than it is with finding solutions to this critical crisis.
The party, on the other hand, voiced its disapproval of the horrible retaliatory attack carried out by soldiers in Ehime Mbano against defenseless people of the city.
“Intelligence should be obtained on matters such as this; nevertheless, the security cannot obtain credible intelligence from the people by destroying their shops and inflicting suffering on them. Even in the midst of intense provocation, our brave policemen must demonstrate self-control and display discipline in their behavior. It is not their job to protect others’ lives and property; rather, that is their responsibility.
LP asked the federal government to take a special interest in the current security situation in Imo State and the wider South East region, adding that the restoration of peace in this region will definitely contribute considerably to the general recovery of the Nigerian economy. This request was made in the context of LP’s assertion that the current security situation in Imo State and the wider South East region is of particular concern.
