Youths Killed in Imo were Bandits – Uzodimma

By Jennifer John

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has described the youths who were allegedly murdered by operatives of Imo security outfit known as Ebubeagu at Awomamma in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State on their way back from a traditional marriage ceremony as bandits.

He described the claims that they were innocent youths killed at a wedding venue as a distractive propaganda and blackmail, adding that his government will not be distracted in her quest to protect the lives and property of Imo citizens.

The governor spoke on Monday after the Imo State Security Council meeting, saying that the government had been briefed on the incident by the Director of State Services, in an interim report made available to members of the Security Council.

Uzodimma added that the DSS Director confirmed that his men carried out an operation in a Camp at Awomamma, with the assistance of their informant and not at a wedding place as claimed by the youths and that it was in the process that some bandits were neutralised.

He said while the Security Council awaits detailed report on the incident, it is important that the public are wary of those using the incident as propaganda tool to blackmail the security agencies and the government.

Also Uzodimma describe as fallacy, the claim on the social media and sections of the traditional media about a 15 year old girl allegedly impregnated in the DSS detention.

He said security report disclosed that two ladies were caught with bandits about six months ago and have been helping the DSS in identifying and arresting other dangerous bandits in the state.

He said, “Incidentally, the so-called 15 year old lady happens to be the girl friend to a key gang leader of the bandits terrorizing the state and on the trail of the DSS operatives.

“Security report has shown that the fleeing gang leader had reached out to his sponsors who have resorted to using the 15 year old lady in question to blackmail the DSS and divert attention.
The whole thing boils down to propaganda and blackmail targeted at the Security agencies.

“You know I will never allow anything ungodly to happen in Imo State. Their target is to puncture the relative peace the security agencies have helped us to achieve in Imo State and we are determined to sustain the peace. We won’t be deterred. No amount of propaganda will make us to loose focus “.