Indeed, one day begins a story. And certainly, whatever has a beginning has an end.
Since April the serenity in Imo State was violated by the activities of “Unknown Gunmen”, the State and its inhabitants have been sitting on edge and living in apprehension.
However, with the latest success recorded by security Agencies in the State, it is therefore pertinent to say that soon, Imo State will recover its old peaceful nature.
On Sunday, the security Agencies engaged in a fierce battle with the “Unknown Gunmen” which led to the death of their Kingpin, and capture of one member alive. This is therefore an indication that the Government is nearing the end of the obnoxious operations of the miscreants.
In the Police Report, signed by the Imo State Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Elkena Bala, it was reported that the main Leader of the Criminals keeping Imo State on its knees have not only been neutralized, but has been identified. They called him Dragon. He died in the Sunday battle.
The Police release even added that one of the Gunmen who was caught alive have been singing in custody. This is a major development, as it seems Imo is gradually getting to the root of the chaos and mayhem that have dragged the State backward in miles since April.
I had said it earlier that Government has the mechanism and the machinery to gathered intelligence reports to burst the insurgency that has crippled the State.
Unfortunately, the Government and the Security Agencies had at different points, said different things, as regarding the incidents in the State.
In each case, while the Police maintained its stand till date, as per the source of the bedlam, the Government has been swinging like a pendulum, speaking in different “Tongues”.
In some cases, while the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma says one thing, his Aides, especially the Commissioner for Information, Hon Declan Emelumba says another.
Even though the Governor remained diplomatic without mentioning names, but he had always stressed that what is happening in Imo State was politically triggered.
However, it his Commissioner for Information, Hon Declan Emelumba, a senior colleague in the pen pushing business , has been emphatic with calling of names. Some of the Governor’s Social Media Hell Raisers have also named those they want to be invited by Security Agents for questioning on the insecurity in the State.
However, despite Imo Governments stance in finger-pointing the Security Organizations had maintained their focus on the task in hand, without being distracted by politicians.
Already, those in Police Net have not mentioned any politician but named the outlawed IPOB as their sources of funding, which is still left for security operatives to unravel.
It is therefore very unfortunate that while the Security Agencies who are well Trained and physically present at the forefront of the Battle against the “Gunmen”, and also have the wherewithal to investigate the ugly scenario and give proper information on the situation gives their Reports, the Government counters them with contradictory statements.
Indeed, who between the Government and Security Agencies have the authentic Authority to carry out investigation regarding the alleged purveyors of Mayhem and Chaos in Imo State?
Government should listen to the security operatives whose responsibility is to carry out the true investigation, and stop confusing the masses, with partisan arguments that distort the findings by the police.
The majority of Imo citizens want peace in the State, because in the next twenty years, some families have been so devastated that they cannot come out of the calamity that has befallen them as a result of the reign of terror in Imo.
Therefore, Imo people want an end to this security imbroglio which has destroyed lives, homes, businesses, and even ambitions.
Many people have lost dear ones, others their means of livelihood, yet many their future.
Trying to bring politics into what should be entirely treated as a security matter will extend the issue and jeopardize an already tensed situation.
Let me here commend the Security Agencies in Imo State for resisting the temptation of letting politics derail their sense of Professionalism and patriotism.
No matter the misunderstanding that may be hovering in the air now, Imo State still remains our State, which is the reason every citizen of the State is a Stakeholder and has the right to comment on the developments in the State.
Recently, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP who have been bombarded by the rulling APC to make her input on the ugly situation in the State made a release, where it outlined what it thinks should be the way forward.
Some respected clergy including Archbishop Anthony Obinna have also added their voices on the matter, which is now left for the sitting Government to decide which to take and what to jettison from these Advises.
However, the PDP Release dominated the air as Government reacts on the call on Governor Uzodinma to resign by the PDP.
Many people are seeing the call as an abomination, forgetting that what that means is that Uzodinma should sit up and control the situation. As an opposition party, the party has the right to check on the activities of the sitting Government, especially when the situation is as dicey as it is in Imo State today.
Since the inception of Imo State, the State has never be thrown into such a near collapse situation, where deaths are recorded any day the Miscreants struck.
Therefore, it is quite unfortunate that because PDP asked the Governor to Resign, the party was suddenly accused of sponsoring violence in the State.
Such heavy accusations ought to be supported with evidential facts, so that it will not lead the masses believe that the insecurity in the State has been turned to a ploy to witch hunt and silence perceived enemies through political power.
No patriotic politician of Imo extraction will celebrate the destruction of the Imo State, because should Imo State boil, where then do we all run to?
PDP as presently constituted in Imo State is not violent, and if it were, such fellows in their midst have left the party.
Therefore, in a Democratic environment, the masses are allowed to make their feelings known. Much more a political party that acts like a Shadow Government!
A cursory, look at Imo PDP’s Executive, from the State, to Zones, LGAs, including National Officers from the State would convince you that the present Imo PDP is not given to violence.
You can accuse the party of being cerebral and urbane in putting the sitting Government on its toes to deliver the goods to the masses. And that is the job of opposition party in a robust democratic environment.
The PDP was in power in the State for seven months, before it was removed from office, and never for one day engaged in any act of violence, but vacated office peacefully. This was even at the height of confrontations from the opposition party.
Since then, the man who lost his mandate, His Excellency, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha has not granted any interview, be it to Print, or Electronic media about Imo State. So, why persuade him now to speak? It is his Fundamental Right to remain quiet, since that is what he choose.
He has moved on with his life, but PDP as a party will continue to operate and function, since elections are not over in Nigeria, and the party remains one of the strongest parties in Nigeria.
Nearly Ninety percent of those who ruled and still ruling Imo State are members of PDP, and it is an open prediction that when the bell for next election tools, there will still be a surge into Imo PDP, as usual.
Therefore, the Imo situation must be handled with tact and wisdom, because one found a snake in his house does not mean that the entire Building should be set on fire.
Infact, the Governor, as the Chief Security Officer, and as Chief Executive of the State has an Eagle-eye over view of all that transpires in the State through regular security reports.
Therefore, Government has all the machinery to unravel the mystery surrounding Unknown Gunmen saga.
Government also has the power and means to solve the problem but not to the detriment of the masses. Certainly, Imo cannot continue like, this which is the major challenge facing the Governor.
What Imo people want is a peaceful environment where all citizens will be free and protected to do their businesses.
No battle in the World ever ended in the battle field. There is always the round-Table to end every war. It is called Dialogue!
Now that the Gunmen are unveiled, it should be the route to end this strange situation in Imo land, which led the masses to live in apprehension for months now. The Ball is in the court of the Government to quench this fire.
