The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has imposed dusk to dawn curfew in Orlu zone, following the killings and maiming of innocent citizens in the clash between Eastern Security Network and the military.
Scores were killed on Monday as soldiers invaded the area in search ESN operatives. Shops and vehicles were also burnt during the face-off that lasted for several hours.
Uzodimma in a statement said he was totally appalled by the sad report which appears to paint a picture of near breakdown of law and order in the Orlu area.
He said his administration will apply interim measures to immediately restore the peace in Orlu zone by imposing dusk to dawn curfew (6 pm to 6 am) in the following Local Government Areas of Orlu zone; Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideao South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre.
Also Read: Tension in Orlu, Imo State as ESN clashes with soldiers
The statement read in part “The government condemns in its entirety this act of extreme hooliganism and brigandage. This is completely unacceptable to this administration” he said .
He assured that those behind the callous barbarism will surely regret their actions.
Meanwhile, the Governor has directed the security agencies to fish out without fail, all those behind the carnage and immediately bring them to book.
“Let no one be in any doubt that the perpetrators of this dastardly act will ever escape justice. I assure them that they will pay for for their cruelty against a peace loving, innocent people” Uzodimma said.
He advised all law-abiding citizens to comply strictly with the curfew as announced, as anyone caught violating the curfew will be treated as a suspect.
The governor assured all Imo people that the situation in Orlu area is under control. He added that Security operatives have been deployed on a 24-hour patrol of the zone.
“Equally, every security measure necessary has been put in place to ensure that law-abiding citizens can go about their businesses in the affected areas without any fear of molestation.
” The government sincerely condones with the families of the bereaved and all the victims of the unfortunate incident”.
He assured them that those who committed the heinous crime against them and their loved ones will never go unpunished.
