Izombe: Uzodimma’s Crisis Management Should Be Emulated

GLOBAL ASSOCIATION OF CONCERNED IMO YOUTHS (GACIY)

PRESS RELEASE

IZOMBE: UZODIMMA’S CRISIS MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE EMULATED

We commend Governor Hope Uzodimma for quelling another crisis in Imo despite the disgusting deceit of cyber terrorists.

On Friday, Oct 8, 2021, a gunfight between soldiers and suspected hoodlums along Umuokwu/Umuorji road quickly spread to Umuokwu, Umuorji, and Ndioko – three villages in Aborshi Autonomous Community in Izombe Clan, Oguta LGA – leaving arson and sorrow in its wake.

Swift government response however kept the disturbance from engulfing the wider Izombe area. But, out to incite the gullible, cyber jihadists operating from the PDP Secretariat invaded social media disinforming that Sen. Hope Uzodinma had ‘encouraged’ a massacre in Izombe, unwittingly betraying their own macabre intentions for Imo.

We restate, for the upteenth time, that the PDP’s open sympathy for violent non-state actors must be deligently probed as a first step towards nailing insecurity in our homeland, Imo.

GACIY welcomes Governor Uzodinma’s courage in visiting the scene of conflict soon after violence broke out. We acknowledge that his presence and soothing words of consolation calmed frayed nerves and encouraged the displaced to return.

While thanking him for approving not only relief aid to victims but also the reconstruction of destroyed houses, we wish to demand:

1) that security operations be sustained on the Orlu axis to rid Oguta Amaeshi, Izombe, Ejemekwuru, Agwa, and communities in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, of bandits.

2) that government steps up efforts to mop up small arms and light weapons in the hands of criminals and non-state actors to enable families return home for Christmas at the minimum, while residents face daily living without fear of molestation.

3) that government deploys men and materials to the Police Division in Agwa and make it operational, covering the whole of Agwa, Ejemekwuru, Awa, Akabor, etc. as soon as possible.

4) that military operatives strictly adhere to the rules of engagement not only to avoid harming the innocent, but to also win the hearts and minds of locals.

5) that the proposed commission of enquiry into the Izombe crisis be promptly empaneled and recommendations implemented in the interest of justice.

6) that the government fulfils its promise of relief and reconstruction of destroyed homes without delay to further engender trust.

Uzodimma’s timely de-escalation of tensions in Izombe speaks to his endowment as a natural leader. GACIY encourages him to remain steadfast as he moves to recover Imo from the grip of vile elements who see Imo as their estate to inherit.

Signed:
Collins Ughalaa KSC
(Convener).
October 13, 2021.