Killers of soldiers, policemen in Imo will be punished, Uzodimma vows
By Emma Ogbuehi
Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, on Tuesday, assured the public that those behind the killing of security operatives at the Ehime Mbano area of Imo State will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of law.
No fewer than eight security agents comprising soldiers, policemen and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were killed by gunmen on Tuesday.
The hoodlums also set ablaze two vehicles.
An eyewitness told newsmen that the incident happened at about 11:30am in Oriagu, around the Aba branch area of Ehime Mbano council area of Imo state.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the incident threw residents of the Umuezeala Owerre community into panic.
The joint security taskforce operatives who were in two security trucks were ambushed and set ablaze by their attackers.
None of the operatives whose actual number and identities are yet to be established survived as they were burnt inside their operational vehicles.
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A resident disclosed that the local government area has been identified as an operational zone for the hoodlums who operate from a valley that is difficult for the security operatives to infiltrate.
He said: “Anytime they attack, they escape into the valley which has a thick vast forest with caves surrounding it that makes it difficult for the security people to arrest them, the government knows that place is dangerous.”
When Uzodimma visited the scene of the ugly incident accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police and the Director Department of State Services, he expressed sadness over the lives lost.
He assured that “the State Government in collaboration with security agencies would fish out the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to book.”
Uzodimma, however, urged the leaders and people of the area to avail the government and security agencies of the vital information they need to do their work.
He also prayed for God’s mercy for the victims and the fortitude for their families to bear the irreplaceable loss of their loved ones.