The Imo Labour Party Governorship Candidate in the 2023 General Elections, Sen. Athan Achonu, has strongly condemned the recent fatal attacks in Imo communities and called for urgent government intervention.
This is contained in a statement issued by Achonu’s Media Adviser, Mr Chibuikem Onyeukwu, made available to newsmen in Owerri on Sunday.
The three communities in Ideato North council area of the state were attacked by gunmen on Thursday, leaving at least seven people dead, according to the police.
Achonu described the incident as “barbaric and deeply disturbing”, and called on the Nigerian Police to “go beyond routine responses and carry out a thorough investigation that not only uncovers the root causes but also exposes the perpetrators.
“These repeated killings are unacceptable and the police must not only respond but must uncover the perpetrators, bring them to justice, and restore the confidence of our people in the security architecture.
“We cannot allow our communities to be reduced to theatres of fear and bloodshed,” he stated.
He also commiserated with the Police Force over the recent attacks on their personnel in parts of Imo North Senatorial District, describing the targeting of security operatives as “a direct affront to law and order.
“Our police officers are already overstretched and under-resourced, so the attack on them is not only tragic but a dangerous escalation that must be swiftly addressed,” he added.
He further challenged the Imo Government and Local Government authorities to take their constitutional responsibilities for local security seriously and rise to the challenge.
He said that given the direct funding now available to Local Governments, the Chairmen and other administrators had no excuse not to prioritise the protection of lives and property.
He suggested that they work closely with community leaders and the police to set up and strengthen vigilante networks that are trained, supervised, and responsive.
Achonu, however, questioned how armed criminals could move through several communities, get into Ideato North, unleash such a mayhem, and still escaped without any form of resistance or interception.
“That speaks volumes about the collapse of grassroots security coordination and this must be urgently addressed,” he noted.
He expressed deep concern over the growing infiltration of criminal elements into rural areas, and warned that government’s inaction at the state and grassroots levels could embolden further attacks.
“Before our very eyes, villages are being overrun because there is no functional local security infrastructure in place.
“This is the result of years of neglect and lack of political will. The time to act is now,” he stated.
Reiterating his belief in community-led security partnerships, he maintained that trust must be rebuilt between communities and security agencies.
He called for collaboration, proper funding, and serious commitment to prevent further attacks and bloodshed in the state.
He condoled with the families of the victims and affirmed his commitment to continue to advocate for security reforms and protection for all communities in Imo and the wider South-East.
