Following the skirmishes that broke out in the Orlu area of Imo State recently, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma has imposed a dusk to dawn (6pm to 6am) curfew in all the Local Government Areas that make up the Orlu Senatorial zone of the State.

In press briefing by Governor Hope Uzodimma on the security situation in Orlu zone on Monday, he listed the affected Local Government Areas to include; Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideao South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre.

The Governor disclosed that he received a very disturbing report on the activities of a group of militants who unleashed a shooting spree in the Orlu area of the State, killing and maiming innocent citizen in the process.

He noted that he was totally appalled by the sad report which according to him, appeared to paint a picture of near breakdown of law and order in the Orlu area.

He observed that the government condemned in its entirety that act of extreme hooliganism and brigandage adding that “this is completely unacceptable to this administration.”

Uzodinma informed that those behind “this callous barbarism will surely regret their actions.”

“Consequently, I have directed the security agencies to fish out without fail, all those behind the carnage and immediately bring them to book. Let no one be in any doubt that the perpetrators of this wicked act will ever escape justice. I assure them that they will pay for their cruelty against innocent people.

“As an interim measure to immediately restore the peace in Orlu zone, a dusk to dawn curfew (6pm to 6am) is hereby imposed in the following Local Government Areas of Orlu zone; namely: Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideao South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre”, the governor further stated.

He however advised all law-abiding citizens to comply strictly with the curfew as announced saying that anyone caught violating the curfew would be treated as a suspect.”

“The government wants to assure all Imo people that the situation in Orlu area is under control. Security operatives have been deployed on a 24-hour patrol of the zone. Equally, every security measure necessary has been put in place to ensure that law-abiding citizens can go about their businesses in the affected areas without any fear of molestation.

“The government sincerely condoles with the families of the bereaved and all the victims of the unfortunate incident. I assure them that those who committed the heinous crime against them and their loved ones will never go unpunished”, he concluded.

Primetimesreporters