Senator Athan Achonu, the Labour Party governorship candidate in Imo State, has expressed horror at the news of eight security officers killed by unknown gunmen in Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, calling it vile and abhorrent.
Achonu, who received news of the brutal murder of security personnel on patrol within Umualumaku, Umuezeala in Ehime-Mbano as a result of an unprecedented sit-at-home order allegedly marshaled by Simon Ekpa and allegedly carried out by unknown gunmen, was on a campaign ground in Owerri North today, Tuesday September 19.
Sen Achonu was terribly affected by the carnage in his Local Government, according to a release made accessible to the press by his media office and personally signed by him.
“I received with shock the news of the despicable murder of eight security operatives in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State today.
“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 Carrier, APC, out of which five were supposed to be deployed in Okigwe Zone in order to ensure the safety of these security operatives in the exercise of their high risk job.
“Apart from using them to rig the last elections in the state, the government should explain the whereabouts of these vehicles and the uses to which they are deployed.
“Therefore, I call on the state government to deploy the same in the area immediately for the safety of these security personnel,” he said.
Sen Achonu who was saddened by the gruesome murder of the security men on duty queried if the state government has not run short of ideas on how to secure the lives and property of the people, which is its primary assignment.
He said,
“It is inexplicable that Imo State has become a war theatre and epicentre of violence and bloodbath in the entire South-east.
“I also call on the Federal Government to rejig the entire security apparatchik in Imo State because Imo State shall no longer accept this horrific wastage 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,” Achonu added.
The LP gubernatorial candidate in the November 11 election urged Imo State residents not to succumb to the blackmail of the enemy of the people, but instead to remain steadfast in their determination to enthrone light over darkness.