Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State says his government cannot be intimidated by sponsors of hoodlums.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing lives and property.
He stated this during the presentation of vehicles and security gadgets to the Operation Search and Flush team on Wednesday.
According to him, the presentation of the vehicles is a bold statement on his government’s iron-clad resolve to flush out criminals from the state.
“It is a signal to bandits, hoodlums and trigger-happy criminals that their time is up in Imo State.
“Again this event further underscores the fact that our government can never be intimidated by criminals and their sponsors. It also reaffirms our commitment to the protection of lives and property of all citizens of the state including those on transit.
“You will recall that just a few days after I assumed office as the governor of Imo State, I inaugurated the security outfit known as Operation Search and Flush,(OSF), which brought together all the different security agencies to work as a team to fight every form of criminality.
“The objective then and now is to rout and root out every aspect of crime in our state. I empowered the outfit then with a record of 100 patrol vehicles and sophisticated communication equipment to help them achieve the objective. There is no doubt that that intervention yielded positive results, the recent pockets of crime here and there notwithstanding.
“Let me; therefore, commend the heads of security agencies in Imo State and their men for their supportive roles in keeping Imo State and her citizenry safe. No matter what might have happened recently, the gallantry and sacrifices of these patriotic officers have never been in doubt.
“May I use this opportunity to commiserate with families of the officers who paid the supreme price in the course of executing their lawful duties. My administration will always do the needful to cushion the pains of these losses.
“In like manner, we shall do all that we can to ameliorate the pains of families who lost their loved ones in the course of accidental engagements with security agencies. Our sincere condolences go to the affected families”.
The governor said the presentation event is part of the government’s response to the evolving security challenges in the state.
According to him “We are reinforcing what we started last year. We are re-energising the security architecture in the state to make it more proactive and result-oriented. These vehicles and equipment being donated by my administration are eloquent testimony to our resolve to confront and combat criminality headlong.
“Furthermore, in the coming weeks, I shall be integrating the Imo State Vigilante outfit, otherwise known as Ebubeagu to complement the efforts of Operation Search and Flush, in fighting crime in the state.
“Let me, therefore, use the auspicious occasion of this memorable event to declare a total war against crime, criminality and their sponsors in the state. In this regard, I am today declaring a zero-tolerance for crime in Imo State. From now onwards Imo State shall be a no go area for criminals. We shall take the war to the doorway of all criminals; their kindred, their hamlets and their hideout. We shall smoke them out and flush them out of Imo State.
“Consequently, I hereby charge our security agencies to chase the criminals to their hideouts. All smoking joints where marijuana and other dangerous drugs are sold and used should be searched and flushed out.
“Henceforth, any landlord who avails his property to criminals, even smokers of weeds would be answerable to the law. In like manner, any traditional ruler in whose domain criminals abides and who fails to report the same to relevant authorities will be held accountable.
We can no longer tolerate a situation whereby our state is used as a breeding haven for criminals.
“To the good people of Imo State and residents, I say to you, you are Safe; go about your lawful engagements without any fear of molestation. No shaking. Your safety is guaranteed”.
