Collars have continued to trail the current security situation in Imo State with its consequent loss of valuables and lives.
It was earlier reported that the attack on Sunday at the police divisional headquarters, Orji in Owerri where four motorists were taken including the State commissioner for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship, Iyke Ume.
Reports had it that at the late hours of Monday, less than six policemen were shot dead at the Okigwe South Zonal Political command, Orieagu in Ehime-mbano LGA of Imo State, along with the command razed at gunpoint.
The National President of Igbo National Council Worldwide (INC), Chilos Godsent, while reacting to the circumstance, place the blame on the government, accusing it of tackling the tendency with kid’s glove.
He explained the Senate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, as well as other Southeast governors, have jeopardized the zone over a pot of”yam porridge” by dance to the tune of their Fulanis for one selfish interest or another.
Hear him, “the situation this is unwarranted and alarming. Not a day that passes with no sound of a gunshot or killing.
“The unknown gunmen have gone as far as placing the nation’s correctional centre along with also the governor’s ancestral dwelling ablaze. These happened within a distance of two to three weeks.
“In the event, the bandits could strike the governor’s ancestral house successfully, just how much more the unarmed civilians on the streets? Something serious has to be done and done quickly to prevent more loss of lives”
In his response, the Director-General of Imo state PDP New Media, Collins Opuruzor attributed the uproar to the increasing youth unemployment in the nation.
He recalled that at the conclusion of Senator Hope Uzodinma’s one year in office, the unemployment level of the state had soared to 33.3percent as over a 2.9million employable youths are completely out of jobs, naming the state as the unemployment capital’ from the nation.
He said that the governor is busy chasing shadows to the detriment of millions of Imo people whose lives are at risk.
Opuruzor additional further,” the Governor should prevent shifting blame to the opposition and some self-determination groups. He should stand to his toes and confront the security challenges head-on. If a governor is incapable of protecting the lives of those who elected him then he must resign honourably. Imo people will no longer tolerate this. It is getting quite excruciating.”
A retired Army captain, David Mbamara has urged the Imo State government to thoroughly investigate the main cause of the recurrent attacks in the nation, rather than telling the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for all of the attacks recently.
The Imo-born social activist who was the founder of Fair Haven Security Nigeria Limited, further said that the governments both at the state and national levels have failed to deal with the dilemma of youth unemployment which, according to him, are the best check against insecurity.
“When the people are gainfully employed and are supplied with a good welfare package, there won’t be any trace of violence. Alas, the government has failed in this aspect. So, what can you expect?
Folks have no tasks to fend for themselves. The people aren’t happy, however, the government is keeping mum over this. It’s an unfortunate situation.”
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Another Imo son who is a lecturer of Microbiology in Imo State University who pleaded anonymity said that the worse is yet to come if the government fails to address the issue of youth redundancy.
“Imo is a country that generates a large number of graduates annually and there aren’t any jobs for them. Be aware that ten jobless graduates are ten offenders and thus it goes.
“Government should provide job opportunities for its teeming unemployed youths. Until this is completed, the restiveness will still continue to creep such as the harmattan fire.”
A cross-section of traders in Amakohia modern marketplace, Owerri said that the problem had kept them in perpetual fear as nobody knows when the enemies will hit.
A butcher in the market who also refused to be said that assault by the unknown gunmen’ has come to be the order of their day.
He said that the fear of the unknown gunmen has kept everyone awake even as they’re marketing their wares.
“If I start to explain to you the number of armed robbery and kidnapping events that have happened only in Amakohia at a space of one week, you will marvel. Nobody is safe here.
“A few days ago, a girl has been kidnapped in a nearby street and moments then, some robbers moved to Akwakuma and dispossessed people of their possessions.
“What I’m not sure about is whether we actually have security or government agents in the nation. The governor is busy chasing darkness while his people die every day.
“This is an ugly trend that needs to be stopped immediately in order to save the lives of the people. Government should act quickly and stop blaming the resistance.”
