…Gives bandits 10 days to surrender
Determined to flush out all bandits in Imo forests, state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has approved the deployment of over 10.000 military forces in the state
This also as the Governor has issued a10-day ultimatum to bandits operating in Imo forests to leave the state and surrender their arms to traditional rulers for unconditional pardon or face bombardment.
The Governor declared that a combined team of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Police will begin an operation in the state with over 10,000 combatant forces as well as heavy ammunitions. L
The 10-day amnesty is with immediate effect and will be visited with severe consequences if not taken seriously by the bandits, the Governor said.
The Governor, who made the declaration during Sunday’s church service at the Government House Chapel Owerri while addressing the congregation, said that government has decided to rid the forests in Imo State of bandits, adding that it has procured necessary equipment for the purpose.
The Governor also said Imo will be hosting the annual Army Day Celebration from June 30 to July 6, 2022 and no fewer than 10,000 military personnel drawn from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police among others would be in attendance.
He said, “effective Monday, June 27 Imo State will take delivery of military equipment that will be used to clear the remnants of bandits hiding in various bushes in the State.
“The State is more determined now than before to clear all bandits and to achieve this, the expected equipment and additional recruitment of more Ebube-Agu personnel working in collaboration with the Security Agencies in the State will be used to clear all the waterways and ride the state of bandits including crude-oil theft. All the waterways are under surveillance with the delivery of new Naval Equipment to the Naval Base in Oguta.”
He also disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is expected to declare open the Army Day celebration
The Governor further directed the Interim Management Committee Chairmen of the 27 Local Government Areas in the State and the newly inaugurated 52 Coordinators of the Development Centres to resume fully in their headquarters and cooperate with their members and the Town Union President Generals to ensure that the Government actualizes it target on security, as well as getting rid of bandits in all Imo forest.
