The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma on has imposed a 6pm to 6am curfew in some affected Local Government Areas of the State following the breakout of violence on Monday.
Naija News gathered the violence is a result of clashes between gunmen and a combined team of police and soldiers in Orlu, Imo state.
The LGAs affected by the curfew declared by the Governor are: Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele, and Nkwerre.
Uzodimma in a statewide broadcast declared urged residents to respect the curfew as security agents have been directed to deal decisively with violators.
He added that those responsible for the disturbance and violence will be fished out and dealt with according to the law.
“This afternoon, I received a very disturbing report on the activities of a group of militants who unleashed a shooting spree in the Orlu area of the State, killing and maiming innocent citizen in the process.
“I am totally appalled by this sad report which appears to paint a picture of near breakdown of law and order in the Orlu area. The government condemns in its entirety this act of extreme hooliganism and brigandage. This is completely unacceptable to this administration. Those behind this callous barbarism will surely regret their actions.
“Consequently, I have directed the security agencies to fish out without fail, all those behind the carnage and immediately bring them to book. Let no one be in any doubt that the perpetrators of this wicked act will never escape justice. I assure them that they will pay for their cruelty against innocent people.
“As an interim measure to immediately restore the peace in Orlu zone, a dusk to dawn curfew (6pm to 6am) is hereby imposed in the following Local Government Areas of Orlu zone; namely: Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideao South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre.
“All law-abiding citizens are advised to comply strictly with the curfew as announced. Anyone caught violating the curfew will be treated as a suspect.
“The government wants to assure all Imo people that the situation in Orlu area is under control. Security operatives have been deployed on a 24-hour patrol of the zone. Equally, every security measure necessary has been put in place to ensure that law-abiding citizens can go about their businesses in the affected areas without any fear of molestation.
“The government sincerely condoles with the families of the bereaved and all the victims of the unfortunate incident. I assure them that those who committed the heinous crime against them and their loved ones will never go unpunished,” the Governor said.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari-led government on Monday said although the country is facing security issues, the security situation is better than it was during the 2015 government.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made this claim while speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, was also at the press conference.
He said, “I can say without hesitation that, though Nigeria is facing security challenges, the situation is far better than what we met in 2015.”