Imo insecurity: Achonu fingers IMSG, calls for FG’s intervention

By Everest Ezihe, Owerri

The continual air bombardment of some communities in Okigwe local government area of Imo State for the past three days now by Joint Task Force on security saying with the excuse of raiding the camps of unknown gun men terrorizing the State for months now, have become a source of concern as Senator Athan Achonu and Archbishop Livinus Onuagha of Methodist Church have accused the State Government of masterminding the wanton killings of innocent citizens and destruction of their properties.
Achonu the Gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party, (LP) in the forthcoming off season Governorship election in the state scheduled by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to hold on Saturday 11th November, 2023 disclosed this on Saturday during a press briefing he held at a prestigious hotel in Owerri.
According to the Governorship hopeful, “it is, with so much grief and sadness, that I address the nation today on the ongoing multiple bombardments happening in Okigwe zone, which has led to the destruction of lives, properties and livelihood.
“As I address you now , so many families are left homeless, scores dead and many missing and yet to be accounted for.
“It grieves my heart, that these dastardly acts are being directed at defenceless citizens.
Permit me to state categorically that this measure of state sponsored violence and destruction, should not be melted to any zone or community for any reason.
“While we await the security agencies to unravel those behind this unjustified bloodshed and destructions, I want to call on Mr. President once again, to set up a high- powered investigative panel to unravel the perpetrators behind the wanton killings and destruction of properties, currently going on in Imo State.
I also want him to use his office to call the Imo State Governor (Senator Hope Uzodimma) to order, especially following his recent threats of “BOMBING “ communities in parts of Imo State” he passionately advised.
Meanwhile, the Methodist Archbishop of Okigwe, His Lordship Rev. Livinus Onuagha in 7 minutes video that have gone viral has cried out to Governor Hope Uzodimma for an official, on the spot assessment of the area with focus on the extent of damages and insecurities perpetrated against the area.
According to Onuagha, ” Okigwe Senatorial zone is presently in danger of militarization. Imo State is made up of 3 senatorial zones, but now Orlu Senatorial zone have been ravaged by insecurities and gone.
“Okigwe Senatorial zone is considered the domain of bad boys and military have devastated the area through air and house to house bombardment, the Senatorial zone is equally gone, remaining only Owerri zone.
“Uzodimma, are you going to be Governor of only Owerri zone ? Please we need serious intervention, our people who are remaining are dying of hunger and cold. No house to stay again. Are we, on a war zone? Please Governor Uzodimma, tell us, if we are on a war zone?
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, I don’t know why you people are not speaking out in condemnation? I don’t know why you are playing to gallery as if the situation is not serious? Ohanaeze Ndigbo, you are not protecting your people. Am calling on, all Imolites to rise up and stop these carnages.
“This is a terrible situation. It’s unbecoming of our people oooooo !!!!! The situation have gone from worst to bad. No human being is living in the entire Aku community of Okigwe, the same with Ihube and Umulolo.
“Why can’t the sons and daughters of these areas rise up and tell Imo State Government that enough is enough. People should not run away from their ancestral home again. We’re not Alamajiris, don’t convert us to Alamajiri” he pleaded.
However, Governor Hope Uzodimma earlier last week said that he is not responsible for the insecurity ravaging the state.
The governor who spoke at his home town in Ozuh Omuma, Oru East local government area of the state during the dedication of St.Rose of Lima Catholic Church Parish, Ozuh Omuma also added that his aides were not fuelling the state’s insecurity either.
According to the statement issued by his spokesperson, Oguwike Nwachuku, quoted the governor as saying that he was a product of Grace and the Mercy of God.
The statement read in parts “Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Orlu, Most Rev Dr. Augustine Ukwuoma in his Homily said the Church dedication will help to foster peace and bring to an end the insecurity and bloodletting in the area and parts of the State.
In his remarks at the end of the Service, an elated Governor Uzodimma thanked the dignitaries who came from different parts of the country and used the opportunity of the dedication to inform the congregation that neither himself nor his government is instrumental to the killings in Imo State.
He described the insinuation as evil, devilish and an attempt to smear his image and blackmail his government.
Uzodimma reiterated that as a Governor he needs peace to serve the people well and urged those behind the insecurity in the State to have a rethink or be ready to face the wraths of God and men.
The Governor said that, despite all the accusations and blackmail against his person and his administration, God has proven to be with him; saying “because power belongs to God.”
He pointed out that as someone who has benefited from God’s Grace, he owes God a lot of gratitude, noting that it is unthinkable for anyone to link him or his government to the cause or causes of crises and violence in a state, God made him Governor.
Uzodimma who’s seeking for re – election, therefore admonished those allegedly responsible for the violence and carnage in Imo State to desist forthwith “because they will at the end answer for their sins before God and men “.
The Governor further emphasised that his ambition is not worth the blood of any human being.