• Why I invited the military – Hope Uzodinma
Imo State governor Hope Uzodinma has divulged reasons he invited the military. He said the situation was beyond the capacity of local arrangements; to restore peace and normalcy in Orlu.
Whereas, it was reported that ESN: Ohaneze Ndigbo condemns use of force in Orlu expressed concern, saying that the use of force , intimidation, and violence, could lead to national crisis as well as Nigeria disintegration.
Speaking with the State house correspondent, Uzodinma said his decision to invite the military was to douse the uprising in orlu district, adding that his actions was precautionary.
The State governor recalled the disruptions and damages caused during the #EndSARS protest – properties destroyed, police station burnt – not excluding the continued tension following the ‘end police brutality’ movement. These were what he said prompted bringing the military.
He said, “. . . and I came here (presidential Villa), pleaded with Mr president for his support by sending in more police, the military also came in and this is where we are.
“It was on my invitation that the military came, and I did that because I know the situation was beyond the local government, we needed help and the help was given to us”.
“Normalcy has returned to orlu as people are going about their business, and culprits caught will be charged to court, as rifles were recovered from them,” he added.
“We are a government; it is our responsibility to protect lives and we have the Nigerian Army, Nigeria police. We had security challenges and we invited them to work.”
Governor Uzodinma has been under serious attack that he brought the military to “crush” the people he was supposed to protect, just like his colleagues were negotiating with bandits.
However, he denied the insinuation, saying he used the security personnels “to restore peace and normalcy”.
“It is not about crushing anybody, and those that came didn’t do any crushing. Those that came through intelligence identified these people. (And) I can tell you, all the people were arrested. All the rifles recovered, are intact. The people are under interrogation, not even one soldier, or one of the militants died in the process.”
On meeting with the Presidency, the governor said he informed Buhari about the progress on the effort to tackle insecurity.
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
