Imo State government, South-East Nigeria is appreciating the federal government for helping the state to address issues of insecurity in the State.
The State Governor, Hope Uzodinma expressed his appreciation on Tuesday, when he paid a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Uzodinma said he had to request for such support when the matter at Orlu Local Government Area of the State got out of hand but with the intervention of the military, normalcy had since been restored.
He said: “On the issue of bringing the military to Imo State, you recall during the EndSARS protest a lot of properties were damaged in Imo State, Police stations were burnt, soldiers were killed and their rifles removed from them and immediately after the EndSARS we thought it was over then the issue of came up.
“Kidnapping, where you know a Catholic bishop was kidnapped, people were killed and these militants came out shooting, we lost lives; market women were killed, we lost lives and our old women were raped in Orlu area of Imo State and they visited serious terror on the citizenry.
“I came here, pleaded with the President for his support and he sent additional police and the military also came in. That is where we are. It was on my invitation that the military came and I did that because that the issue was beyond our local arrangement. We needed help and help was given to us. As I speak to you, the situation has come down to calm or normal. People are now going about their normal businesses and those caught would soon be charged to court.”
The Governor said all the military rifles that were carted away have been recovered by the security agents sent to the State.
He emphasised that his administration would not relent in executing its mandate of protecting lives and property of all citizens of the State.
Commenting on a recent incident in the State, where the former Governor of the State, Rochas Okorocha was detained, Governor Uzodinma said it was wrong to try to re-open a premises sealed by government and all those arrested in connection with the incident have been arrested and would face the law.
Lateefah Ibrahim
