Insecurity: Imo PDP decries militarization of the state

From Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has condemned in strong terms, the heavy presence of armed military personnel in the state with its attendant indiscriminate arrests, brutalization and sporadic firing of gunshots by the military officers.

The Party in a statement signed by Ogubundu Nwadike, Imo State Publicity Secretary of the party, sadly noted that the tension in the State is becoming very provocative to citizens, particularly the youths, who are the greatest victims of the increasing militarization of the State that was once rated the most peaceful in Nigeria.

According to him,  great deal of anger and fraustration are being whipped up which could worsen they already bad situation if not checked in time.

He declared, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State warns against the increasing spate of military show of force in the State, which manifests in the forms of incessant gunshots in civilian residential areas, indiscriminate positioning and patrolling of Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles, arrests and detention of Imo people on trumped up allegations, and actual extra-judicial killing of innocent citizens in cold blood.

“Under the circumstance, the Party appeals to Imo people, particularly the youth, to exercise more patience and remain calm, peace-loving and law-abiding, while the governor is urged to urgently take steps to demilitarize the State.

“The Party cautions Imo youths against engaging the military and security operatives in any exchanges that are capable of exposing them to avoidable danger and harm.”

Imo PDP, therefore implored Governor Hope Uzodinma, to urgently ensure that the Army and other armed security agencies deployed to the State are professional in their conduct and discharge their duties in tandem with democratic tenets bearing in mind that, “Imo is not at war.”

The Party also called on Traditional Rulers, the Clergy, elders and leaders of thought and all men of goodwill in the state to speak up now before it is too late.

“The Party stresses for the umpteenth time that Imo people cannot be endlessly subjected to living in bondage of fear in their own State, and as such Governor Uzodimma should urgently convene a genuine stakeholder’s conference on safety and security in the State. This Party is surprised that her advice and recommendations for restoring peace in the State have so far continually fallen on deaf ears, while instances of insecurity multiply in the State.

“The Party is strongly convinced that the current challenges of insecurity in the State are not insurmountable, only that the solutions need to be determined domestically within the State and not by external interferences. Governor Uzodimma should really look inwards for sustainable solutions,” Nwadike said.