Save S’East From Sit-At-Home, Uzodinma Begs Security Agencies

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The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma has challenged the leadership of security agen­cies in the country and those serving in the South-East in particular to step up their programmes with the view to saving the South Easterners the embarrassment of sit-at-home which non-state actors have brought about.

He expressed concern that the sit-at-home order has severely impacted the region’s economy, commerce, and trade, and believes it should not be ignored any longer.

The governor made the call on Thursday when he received in audience the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ayuba Chugali, and the Assistant Inspector Gener­al of Police, Zone 9, Umuahia, Echeng Eyo Echeng, both of who were on a courtesy call at the Government House Ower­ri, on Thursday.

Though the governor ad­dressed his guests and their teams separately, his remarks to both visitors found a com­mon ground in the state of in­security in the region and how the security agencies could deal with it decisively.

“This is time for all security agencies to synergize and come up with a united front to tackle the insurgency and insecurity in the zone perpetrated by those whose identities cannot be properly fixed,” he said.

In welcoming the Flag Of­ficer, Governor Uzodimma thanked the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emman­uel Ikechukwu Ogalla, for ap­proving the visit by his men but used the visit to sincerely thank President Bola Tinubu for the choice of Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff.

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The governor described the role of the Navy in mari­time security as ‘critical item that must be strengthened,’ acknowledging that the ‘Nige­rian Navy and other security agencies have distinguished themselves in their job.’

To both organisations, the governor emphasised the need for partnership with each other and even the communities ‘to ensure the best of results in security of lives and property of Nigerians, especially in the South East.’

The Governor, Uzodimma, revealed that upon taking office, he recognized the potential of the Naval Base in Oguta. He swiftly initiated the development of a maritime route to the sea to stimulate the state and regional economy. This move aims to improve commerce and trade in the area.

He promised to do all with­in his powers to encourage the Nigerian Navy to realise their mission and expressed happiness to hear that the geo­graphic survey report for the dredging of the Orashi River to the Atlantic is ready.

To the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 9, Umuahia, Echeng Y Echeng, he thanked him for coming, and for his commitment in the Police Force, especially in the South East and his achieve­ments and records as a com­missioner before his elevation to AIG.

The governor emphasised the need for serious support and deployment of the securi­ty agencies to the communities in the South-East through addi­tional manpower and logistics to fight the monster of insur­gency at the grassroots.

He reiterated that the peo­ple of South-East are highly threatened by insecurity as commerce and industry and the entire economy is dying.

He also seized the oppor­tunity to bemoan the attitude of leaders who have refused to speak out and condemn the killings of innocent citizens in the state.

Earlier in his presentations, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ayuba Chugali, told the governor that he brought goodwill message from the Chief of Naval Staff, Real Ad­miral Emmanuel Ogalla, and went ahead to thank the gov­ernor for all that he has been doing for the Navy in Imo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

He said that they came to an­nounce the appointment of a new Flag Officer of the Central Naval Command who is man­dated to ensure that Imo State and the South East are safe and secured.

The AIG explained that he was on a one day working visit to the Imo State Police Com­mand and found it expedient to give honour to whom honour is due by paying the courtesy visit to the governor.

He said that the zone which includes Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states has unique security chal­lenges which include insurgen­cy, kidnapping and activities of IPOB, noting that “much has been done and more needs to be done.”

He assured the governor that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Eg­betokun, is ready to assist on logistics and training and assured that his men will pro­vide security to Imo State so that “the people will go to sleep with their eyes closed.”

The Eastern Updates