The Governor of Imo State and Chairman, South East Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has condemned in very strong terms the killing of soldiers who were on lawful duty in Aba, Abia State by hoodlums masquerading as members of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
The soldiers were ambushed and then killed by the gang of criminals who claimed to be enforcing a sit at home order in the South East.
Governor Uzodimma who addressed the media on Thursday in Government House Owerri had condemned the dastardly act which he said occured without provocation.
Governor Uzodimma urged the security agencies to “go all out and ensure that those behind it are caught and brought to book.”
He bemoaned what happened as “unfortunate, without any reason as innocent people doing their lawful duty were gunned down.”
He said the unfortunate situation was a major setback on the peace process which the Governors of the South East have been pursuing vigorously by engaging the Federal government, security agencies and other critical stakeholders on how best to resolve the problem of insecurity in the South East.
Governor Uzodimma regretted that the action will erroneously portray the people of South East in bad light “as if we don’t have sympathy for human lives or that the peace process being pursued is not appreciated.”
The Governor seized the opportunity to condole with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Toured Lagbaja, the Nigeria Army and the families of the soldiers who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident.
However, he reiterated the resolve of the leadership of the people of South East in general and the Governors in particular, not to leave any stone unturned to ensure that the needed peace to develop the region is achieved.
Governor Uzodimma repeated the call on the security agencies to do their job without hindrance and to ensure that those behind the dastardly act are fished out so as to serve as deterrent to others.
On the activities of the perpetrators of the killing, the Governor who described them as criminals said they were propelled by the memory of the past that is still hunting them, noting that, “we should find courage and appreciate the fact that a lot of work had gone into the peace process.”
He maintained that the South East region in general and Imo State in particular crave for peace and advised the people to come out and go about their businesses “without fear of any molestation by anybody.”
He insisted that his government is doing her best in the area of security “and God is supporting and helping us.”