Frontline governorship candidate for the November 11, governorship election in Imo State, Senator Atthan Nneji Achonu has condemned the gruesome murder of security operatives in Imo state by suspected unknown gunmen.
In a personally signed statement of condemnation, Achonu who is the flag bearer of the Labour Party (LP) said he received the news of killing with shock.
He said the “unconscionable murder of innocent security operatives in the line of duty” was more terrifying for him because it took place in his constituency and wondered why Imo state has become a centre of blood shedding in the last few years.
Said Achonu, “I received with shock the news of the despicable murder of eight security operatives in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State today (Tuesday).
“That unconscionable murder of innocent security operatives in the line of duty is reprehensible, highly condemnable, and unacceptable in a modern society like ours.
“The latest onslaught in the recurrent sparks of violence is more condemnable because it happened in my own constituency.
“I feel particularly hurt by this carnage, having invested millions of my personal funds to repair nine faulty Armoured Personnel Carriers, APCs, out of which five were supposed to be deployed in Okigwe Zone to ensure the safety of these security operatives in the exercise of their high-risk job.
“Therefore, I call on the state government to deploy the same in the area immediately for the safety of these security personnel”, hoping that Imo State Government has not “run short of ideas on how to secure the lives and property of the people, which is its primary assignment.
“It is inexplicable that Imo State has become a war theatre and epicenter of violence and bloodbath in the entire South-east”, he stated.
Achonu went further to “call on the Federal Government to rejig the entire security apparatchik in Imo State because Ndi Imo shall no longer accept this horrific waste of lives and property.
“While I condole the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police Force and the entire security network, and families of the fallen heroes, I also plead with the people shedding innocent blood to desist.
“I also charge Ndi Imo not to surrender to the blackmail of the enemy of the people but to remain resolute in their desire to enthrone light over darkness”, the governorship hopeful advised.
