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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Governor Hope Uzodimma has commended the Nigeria military and other security agencies for their gallant efforts in successfully destroying bomb factories run by bandits at Eke-Ututu, in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, last weekend.
The governor also lauded the tactics of the military, which he noted prevented loss of lives during the operation, but regretted the critical injury sustained by the captain and another officer who led the operation.
Governor Uzodimma, who vowed to sustain the fight against insecurity in the state, explained that the natives of the area were subjected to various forms of molestation, including tasking them before opening their shops.
He has also promised the people of the community that their market, shops and other items destroyed in the process of the operation would be replaced and adequate compensation made to the affected people.
“As I speak with you, the captain who led the operation and another officer are lying critically at the ICU of the Federal Medical Centre; the soldiers were able to dislodge them and recovered cassava and other items they used in manufacturing explosives.
“In the process, they burnt down the shops, and this is consistent with our fight against insecurity, and they were so tactical that no lives were lost. They were able to destroy some of the explosives, and it pleases some of the citizens of this state, those of them who are candidates running for elections in other political parties, to blackmail the security agencies, questioning why they should go there at all.
“None of them made an attempt to visit the scene. While some are in Abuja talking to the media, some are also in Owerri here ranting, and Imo State is bleeding. At the same Eke -Ututu market, people don’t even go to the market without paying taxes to unknown gunmen. I mean taxes for them to be able to open their shops and this is what we have been fighting all through.
“Let me use this medium to state that the fight against, banditry, terrorism, kidnapping in Imo State, government will stop at nothing, it is not politics, it’s about security of lives and properties of our people, so anybody who wants to play politics with that, history will judge all of us.
“I think we would continue to support security agencies to continue to do their work, while we regret any collateral damage that may go with it. By this, we mean the burning of the shops and the historical significance of Eke Ututu market,” Uzodimma said.
