Governor Hope Uzodimma has compensated the security agents who were killed in an ambush by unknown gunmen at Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State in the course of carrying out their duties, doling out N185m to the families of the deceased as well as to those who survived the attacks.
Performing the ceremony on Monday at the premises of the Government House Chapel, Owerri, Governor Uzodimma appreciated the fallen heroes and those of them who sustained various degrees of injuries in the course of the attack, working as operatives of ‘’Search and Flush Operations.’’
Addressing the audience in an emotion laden voice, the Governor who remembered how the security agents put their lives on line to protect the citizens of the State not only prayed God to grant their various families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss but also to grant the survivors quick recovery from the injuries they are currently nursing.
The Governor noted that the occasion has brought to the fore the situation of insecurity in Imo State “as being beyond what people think and goes a long way to showcase the problems and the negative impact inflicted on the State.”
The Governor recalled that this is not the first time the State Government was appreciating those who died or were injured while carrying out their assigned duties and promised to continue to show love to the families and agencies affected so that they will continue to discharge their duties without fear or discouragement.
He said though he is aware that the Federal Government and the Security Agencies have different compensation plans for their personnel, “yet this is an opportunity to appreciate the invaluable jobs the security agencies, that is, Police, Army, Air Force, Navy, NDELA, Civil Defence and other Para-Military Agencies are doing in Imo State.”
Governor Uzodimma proceeded to announce that the Government will give out N185 million to those affected and prayed God to give the families the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss, “and the repose of the souls of those that paid the supreme price to their fatherland.”
Earlier while leading the audience into the reason for the event, the Secretary to Imo State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu welcomed the bereaved families to the solemn event and thanked Governor Uzodimma for “being responsive to the plight of the security agencies in the State.”
He also appreciated the Government for coming to the aids of the families of the deceased and for assisting those who were wounded in the course of performing their duties.
Iwu said that “the attacks and killings of security agencies will not deter them from fighting against insecurity and restoring peace in the State,” and assured that “Government will continue to support the families and the various security outfits in the State.”
Those who died and were compensated include; Isaac Yakubu and Mr. Samson Edeh of NDELA; Ezeagu Emeka Tobias of NSCDC; Abraham Anas of Nigerian Air Force and Abas Ejiofor of the Nigerian Police.
The injured officers include; Ibrahim Abubakar, Umeh Lawrence, Akwaraji Charles, Abubakar Haruna, Inspector Odukwe, Onyekachi Ndubuisi and others.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the others, a survivor, Umeh Lawrence of the Nigerian Immigration Service, thanked the Governor, the Government and people of Imo State for the compensation and the various support for the security agencies, families and well-wishers.
He promised that they will not relent in their assigned responsibilities, but rather will continue to discharge their duties gallantly.
Present at the programme were the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, Deputy Governor-elect, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe and other members of Imo House of Assembly, members of Imo State Expanded Executive Council, Eze Imo, HRM Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel Okeke and Principal Officers of the Security Agencies and Para-Military Agencies in Imo State, the religious ( Christians and Muslims), among others.