We invited the military to Orel to prevent a repeat of the #EndSARS saga, says Governor Uzodynma.
State Governor Imo Hope Uzodinma explained why he invited the military to join the Eagle community in the state.
Orlu made headlines last week after locals accused the state government of calling on the military to launch an air strike that would kill them.
Speaking to State Chamber correspondents after meeting with President Bukhari today, February 23, the governor said that Orlu had become a notorious criminal after gunmen took over EndSARS protests.
“Well, the question of bringing the military to the state of Imo? Recall that during the #EndSARS protests in the state of Imo, a lot of property was damaged, police stations were set on fire, soldiers were killed, and their rifles were confiscated.
And right after #EndSARS we thought it was over. Then questions about the kidnapping, where, as is known, a Catholic bishop was kidnapped and killed. And these militants came out and started shooting. We were killed, market women were killed, elderly women were raped in the Orlu region of Imo state, and they attended this terrible terror against citizenship.
And then I came here (the presidential mansion), I begged Mr. President for his support, and he sent additional support by sending the police, and the military entered too. This is where we are.
The military arrived at my invitation. And I did it because I knew that the situation was beyond the scope of local agreements, we needed help. And they helped us.
And while I’m talking to you, the situation is back to normal, people are now going about their business. And those caught will soon be charged. And all these military pistols from the army, police, AK-47 and so on were discovered by the people who came.
We are the government; our responsibility is to protect lives. Until then, we have the Nigerian army, the Nigerian police. We had security problems, we invited them to start work, ”he said.
Governor Uzodynem denies using the military to terrorize state residents.
“Well, I don’t understand what you mean. I told her about our initial information and efforts to combat the sporadic gunfights in Orel, which resulted in many innocent and dead women on the market, people selling dead food for a group of people we could not identify.
Preliminary reconnaissance checked where they were in the bushes. Our local police and local army went there and confronted each other, they were pushed back.
So, we found that humans have strong firepower. And this, of course, is Nigeria, the federation, the state of Imo is a federal unit, and all over the world there is a provincial police, there is a federal police. So, I needed to report the situation, and I did it, and they helped us sort out the situation.
It is not about crushing anyone, and those who came did not press anyone. Those who checked their intelligence identified where these people were, and I can tell you that all the people have been arrested, all the pistols found are intact. Interrogations are in progress, not one, not even a soldier, not one of the militants died in the process.
I have to thank DCP Abba Kyari for the great job she did. So let someone politicize him. But I am responsible for protecting the lives of my people. “He said.
