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For the past three days, a continuous series of air raids have been targeting various communities in Okigwe local government area of Imo State, carried out by a Joint Task Force responsible for security operations.
They claim to be targeting the hideouts of unknown gunmen who have been plaguing the state for months.
This situation has now become a major cause for concern, with Senator Athan Achonu and Archbishop Livinus Onuagha of the Methodist Church accusing the State Government of being behind the ruthless killings of innocent citizens and the destruction of their properties.
According to the Governorship hopeful, ‘it is, with so much grief and sadness, that I address the nation today(Saturday), on the ongoing multiple bombardments happening in Okigwe zone, which has led to the destruction of lives, properties and livelihood.’
‘As I address you now , so many families are left homeless, scores dead and many missing and yet to be accounted for.’
‘It grieves my heart, that these dastardly acts are being directed at defenceless citizens.’
‘Permit me to state categorically that this measure of state sponsored violence and destruction, should not be melted to any zone or community for any reason(s).’
Read also: INEC Labels Imo State Tough Areas To Conduct Elections
‘While we await the security agencies to unravel those behind this unjustified bloodshed and destructions, I want to call on Mr President once again, to set up a high-powered investigative panel to unravel the perpetrators behind the wanton killings and destruction of properties, currently going on in Imo State, and moreso, to use his office to call the Imo State Governor (Senator Hope Uzodimma) to order, especially following his recent threats of “BOMBING “ communities in parts of Imo State,’ he advised.
In a 7-minute viral video, the Archbishop of the Methodist Church in Okigwe, Reverend Livinus Onuagha, made an impassioned plea to Governor Hope Uzodimma. He urged the governor to personally visit the area for an immediate, firsthand assessment. The focus would be on evaluating the extent of damages and addressing the security challenges facing the region.
According to Onuagha, ‘Okigwe Senatorial zone is presently in danger of militarization. Imo State is made up of 3 senatorial zones, but now Orlu Senatorial zone have been ravaged by insecurities and gone, Okigwe Senatorial zone is considered the domain of bad boys and military have devastated the area through air and house to house bombardment, the Senatorial zone is equally gone, remaining only Owerri zone.’
‘Uzodimma, are you going to be Governor of only Owerri zone ? Please we need serious intervention, our people who are remaining are dying of hunger and cold. No house to stay again. Are we, on a war zone? Please Governor Uzodimma, tell us, if we are on a war zone?’
‘Ohanaeze Ndigbo, I don’t know why you people are not speaking out in condemnation? I don’t know why you are playing to gallery as if the situation is not serious? Ohanaeze Ndigbo, you are not protecting your people. Am calling on, all Imolites to rise up and stop these carnages.’
‘This is terrible situation. It’s unbecoming of our people oooooo !!!!! The situation have gone from worst to bad. No human being is living in the entire Aku community of Okigwe, the same is Ihube and Umulolo. Why can’t the sons and daughters of these areas rise up and tell Imo State Government that enough is enough. People should not run away from their ancestral home again. We’re not Alamajiris, don’t convert us into Alamajiri,’ he pleaded.
In contrast, Governor Hope Uzodimma asserted last week that he shouldn’t be held responsible for the insecurity currently plaguing the state.
Speaking at the dedication of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Parish in his hometown of Ozuh Omuma, Oru East local government area of the state, the governor also emphasized that his staff members were not exacerbating the security situation in the state.
