REBECCA AJANI
THE Nigeria Governors’ Forum has condemned the incessant gunmen attacks in Imo State, describing the situation as criminality taken to reckless and irresponsible heights.
The NGF warned those behind the crimes to understand the fact that they did not have the monopoly of violence, and urged good citizens of the country to cooperate with security agencies to tackle the rising insecurity.
This position was conveyed in a statement signed by the Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, on Sunday.
The Governors specifically expressed their profound sympathy with Governor Hope Uzodinma and commiserated with all those that had been injured, maimed or killed in the attacks.
The statement read in part, “For those behind these crimes, they must understand that they do not have the monopoly of violence. This is taking criminality to reckless and irresponsible heights.
“All hands must be on deck to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act as in our view, they constitute a small league of persons trying to harm the corporate existence of our beloved country, Nigeria.
“The mantra for every Nigerian at such a challenging time in our history must be how to forge peace and unity across the nation’s divides and to shun violence and wanton destruction. Only then can we have a country to call our own.”
Recall that the Owerri Correctional Center and Imo State police headquarters were set ablaze by hoodlums recently, while many inmates were set free.
Hoodlums also attacked the house of the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, at his hometown, Omuma, in Oru East Local Government Area of the state.
The house was reportedly attacked with a petrol bomb with vehicles destroyed and not less that three security operatives killed.
An officer of the Imo State Fire Service, Atenesuis Iheakor, a level eight officer, was also said to have been killed in the incident, which occurred at about 8.15am on Saturday.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Orlando Ikeokwo, confirmed the incident, saying, “I can confirm the story. The hoodlums attacked the Governor’s House by throwing in Petrol bomb as a result of which two cars were burnt, but they were successfully repelled.”
“None of the buildings was set ablaze. However, one unarmed personnel of the NSCDC was killed in the process, the hoodlums while escaping also killed a Police Sergeant and another NSCDC personnel both in their private vehicles at Mgbidi junction,” he added.
