Many Imolites and outsiders who visited the State during the Yuletide season have expressed satisfaction with the level of security they witnessed in the State and some of them have asked me to share with them how the governor was able to achieve such enormous milestone in defeating the non-state actors, who at some point, seemed to have succeeded in their odious agenda of scaring people away from the State.
Many people who shared their experiences with me were excited that our villages could experience a peaceful and joyous Christmas season, and the plans by the hoodlums to disrupt the peace of the State in a few places were effectively stopped by our gallant security operatives.
Fundamentally, good governance is the most effective weapon against insecurity. The governor understands this and he is unrelenting in ensuring that he meets the people’s needs. From provision of quality and affordable education, to improvement on public amenities and ensuring the enhancement of the people’s welfare. Everyone must not agree with his styles, but the most important thing is that he has earned the trust of a majority of Imo people who have voluntarily aligned with his agenda for a safe, prosperous and positively reformed Imo State.
The governor has been purposeful in his determination to stamp out acts of criminality in the State and guaranteeing the security of lives and properties for citizens. This is a fundamental part of his covenant with Imo people and he does not take it lightly.
When we remember where we are coming from, especially, since 2021 when a group of bandits professing to be Biafran secessionists broke into the Owerri prisons and the Police headquarters, aiding the illegal release of over one thousand detainees, you would agree with me that the governor has reasonably succeeded in defeating insecurity. Do not forget that these bandits and their sponsors did not pretend about their mission; they wanted to overrun Imo State, they wanted to take over territories and they wanted to ensure that the State is ungovernable. Today, none of that has happened, because Governor Uzodimma confronted them headlong. He never allowed them any breathing space. He ensured that Imo is not comfortable for criminals.
Like every responsible leader, the governor adopted the carrot and stick approach. He provided a window for these misguided youths who took to violence to return their guns and be granted amnesty. Some of them who did have been rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society and some of them are helpful in combating these criminals. They are providing useful intelligence and information that is helping security agencies to smoke out these criminals in their different hideouts.
For those who have declined the governor’s well thought out offer of amnesty, the government has had no option but to deal with them decisively. We cannot allow criminals and terrorists, under whatever guise to continue to harass innocent citizens of the State. To this end, the governor has adopted different creative strategies to ensure effective policing of every inch of territory in our dear State.
Governor Uzodimma has made sure that our conventional security agents do not lack anything that would aid them in combating criminals. He has provided operational vehicles and other gadgets that enhance intelligence and surveillance. This is why 90% of the plans made by these criminals are usually intercepted and aborted. The security agencies have been empowered by the governor to be one step ahead of the criminals, by providing them the resources for effective security of our people.
Also, the governor has integrated the vigilante services across Imo State, to ensure adequate community policing. He understands that these criminals do not fall down from the skies. They inhabit places in the State, and with good collaboration between the local vigilante and the conventional security agencies it is difficult for the criminals to find any safe haven in the State. The collaboration between these vigilantes and other security stakeholders in our various communities has been very fruitful in enhancing security and safety across the State.
Aggressive grassroots development and empowerment of our youths have also been central to the governor’s security plans. Providing jobs for our teeming youths and empowering thousands of others through technical skills like the skill-up Imo and other skill empowerment programs have significantly helped in addressing the security situation in the State.
Many of these youths who would have been easily lured into crime are productively engaged through various skills set sponsored by the State government, hence, the criminals are effectively deprived of the manpower they require to wreck havoc on the State on a large scale, as they would wish. It might interest you to know that a good percentage of those criminal remnants are not from Imo State. A good number of Imo youths have been productively engaged that they wouldn’t have time to indulge in crime.
His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, understands that security is a constantly evolving challenge and the best way to continuously guarantee the security of the people is by evolving new strategies to confront the challenges that might be posted by these criminal elements and their sponsors.
IMO IS WINNING!
Onwuasoanya FCC Jones is Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State on Public Communication.
