The Inspector General of Police, Baba Alkali, on Tuesday, ordered security operatives in the state to decimate the “enemies” of the state.
The IGP, who gave the charge at the state government House while inaugurating the Amorured Personnel Carriers procured by the state government to aid the fight against banditry, said that the state was strategic in the economy of the South-East zone.
Alkali said that the procurement of APCs would serve as a morale booster for his men in fighting criminals in the state.
He said that his office was always ready to collaborate with the state government to get the state rid of criminal elements in the state.
“With utmost professionalism and absolute synergy among security agencies in the fight against criminality, the people believe unwarranted attacks by criminals will soon be brought to the bearest in Imo State,” he said.
The state governor, Hope Uzodimma, said that his administration was committed to the security and prosperity of the state.
Uzodiinma said, “Although security is in the exclusive list of the Federal Government, the reality is that all tiers of government must synergize to ensure the protection of property and lives of the citizenry. Since the inception of my administration, I have always worked with the federal government and the security agencies to ensure that Imo Stare is safe for our people, residents, and visitors. Therefore, what we are doing today is not a coincidence but a deliberate and sustainable effort aimed at enhancing the capacity of the police to execute their constitutional law enforcement mandate.
You will recall that shortly after I assumed office, I procured more than 100 patrol vehicles equipped with modern communication gadgets for the police and other security agencies to help them fight crime and criminality in the state. We followed that up with the donation of the first set of Armoured Personnel Carriers.
“Today, on behalf of the state government, I am presenting for the commissioning and immediate deployment of additional 10 numbers of Armoured Personal Carriers and other vehicles to further strengthen the effectiveness of the police force in the state. This latest donation has been necessitated by the fact that the police have become targets of attacks across the country, including here in Imo State. They are intended to protect the Police from such heartless attacks, to enable them to protect us.
“Conscious of the fact that the price of peace is eternal vigilance, it is only fit and proper that we should provide the police with the necessary equipment to maintain the peace we need.
“As I have always said, there can be no development without peace. Let me reiterate the fact that the government under my watch will do all we can to protect the lives and property of all citizens and residents of Imo state. I am aware that the sponsors of insecurity in the state are not tired of trying to make the state ungovernable for us.
“They continue to deploy every instrument at their disposal, including sheer blackmail, propaganda which they easily spread via Social Media to misinform and incite the public against my administration. They even went as far as trying to set the state against the federal government and other ethnic groups by engaging in all manner of propaganda. But, they will continue to fail because they do not mean well to the people, and the victory of good over evil is always assured.
“Those who will stop at nothing, including shedding the blood of innocent citizens, to get to power must know that they will be held accountable for their evil deeds either here on earth or hereafter. Let me, therefore, use this auspicious occasion to once again call on such people to always remember that the need to secure the collective peace of Imo people should always come before our personal ambitions. They should give peace a chance it deserves.
As the Governor of the state, let me assure the good people of Imo state that I will continue to do my utmost best to ensure that Imo remains safe for everyone, including investors. I hereby reiterate my appeal to our youths to shun violence in any form and embrace the empowerment programmes of the state government. Always remember crime does not pay. Don’t ever allow any politician to use you for his selfish purposes.
“To our security agencies, especially the police, the state government under my watch will continue to make your jobs easier. As you continue to diligently and gallantly serve the country, always know that you are not alone.”