The Labour Party (LP) has strongly condemned the recent violence and killings in Imo State, Nigeria, which included the killing of security agents by unidentified gunmen and the subsequent destruction of houses and businesses in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area by soldiers. In a statement issued by the National Vice Chairman (South East) of the LP, Chief Innocent Okeke, the party criticized Governor Hope Uzodimma for what it deemed a lackluster response to the escalating violence and destruction in the state.
The LP expressed deep concern about the continuous loss of lives in Imo State, emphasizing that the recent incident in Ehime Mbano was a culmination of a series of violent events. The party highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety and security of both the citizens and security agencies, asserting that governance loses its meaning when lives are not protected.
The statement further pointed out the descent of Imo State into a state of lawlessness and anarchy, with individuals living in constant fear for their safety due to the lack of effective measures to curb the violence.
Regarding the incident in Ehime Mbano on September 19th, where security officers were killed and their bodies mutilated, the LP lamented the tragic loss of lives and the devastating impact on the officers’ families. The party criticized the government for failing to identify the groups responsible for such atrocities, using the term “unknown gunmen” without taking meaningful steps to address the situation.
The LP urged the government to identify the source of these unknown gunmen, understand their grievances, and engage them in dialogue to seek a peaceful resolution. It expressed concern over the prevailing insecurity in over half of the local government areas in Imo State and accused the government of prioritizing re-election campaigns over finding solutions to the crisis.
In response to the soldiers’ alleged reprisal attack on the citizens of Ehime Mbano, the LP denounced the use of force against defenseless civilians and called for restraint and control by security forces. The party emphasized the importance of gathering credible intelligence to address security challenges and condemned the destruction of property and livelihoods.
Finally, the LP called upon the federal government to take special interest in the security situation in Imo State and the broader South East region, recognizing that peace in this region would contribute significantly to the overall recovery of the Nigerian economy.