Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew (6pm to 6am) on ten local government areas in Orlu zone of the state.
The governor who stated that he was disturbed to receive report of “shooting spree in the Orlu area of the state” added that 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.”
Uzodinma who spoke on Monday evening, January 25, in response to the sporadic shooting in Orlu, also blamed the “killing and maiming of innocent citizens” in the area on the “activities of a group of militants”.
He also said: “The government condemns in its entirety this act of extreme hooliganism and brigandage. This is completely unacceptable to this administration. 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 never escape justice. I assure them that they will pay for their cruelty against innocent people.
“All law-abiding citizens are advised to comply strictly with the curfew as announced. Anyone caught violating the curfew will 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.”
