Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on crisis-ridden Orlu Local Government Area and nine other neighbouring communities.
According to reports, the root cause of the crisis was as a result of a faceoff between Eastern Security Network (ESN) established by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the military, which led to several loss of lives and properties.
Uzodinma, who reacted to the incident in a statement on Monday evening, said the curfew runs from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily.
The affected local government areas are – Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideao South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre.
He also ordered security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous act and bring them to book.
Uzodinma said;
This afternoon, I received a very disturbing report on the activities of a group of militants who unleashed a shooting spree in the Orlu area of the state, killing and maiming innocent citizen in the process
I am totally appalled by this sad report which appears to paint a picture of near breakdown of law and order in the Orlu area. The government condemns in its entirety this act of extreme hooliganism and brigandage.
This is completely unacceptable to this administration. Those behind this callous barbarism will surely regret their actions.
He expressed;
Consequently, I have 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 their cruelty against a peace-loving and innocent people.
As an interim measure to immediately restore the peace in Orlu zone, a dusk to dawn curfew (6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) is hereby imposed in the following Local Government Areas of Orlu zone; namely; Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideao South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre.
Uzodinma stressed;
All law-abiding citizens are advised to comply strictly with the curfew as announced. Anyone caught violating the curfew will be treated as a suspect.
The government wants to assure all Imo people that the situation in Orlu area is under control. 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.
Governor Uzodinma condoled with the families of victims of the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.
