Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has imposed dusk to dawn curfew in 10 council
areas in Imo to check further breakdown of laws in Orlu Local Government
and other affected areas.
The governor said in Owerri on Monday that the curfew would hold between
6am and 6pm daily till further notice.
Reports that some security agencies in Imo and a group known as security
volunteers clashed in Orlu council area on Monday, living one person
dead.
A popular timber market known as Ogbosisi Market was set on fire during
the crisis which lasted for several hours.
The police spokesman, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the incident,
said police had moved into action to restore peace and immediately
arrest those behind the incident.
But Uzodinma said, in a press statement signed by his Chief Press
Secretary Mr Oguike Nwachukwu, that the curfew would check further
breakdown of laws in the area.
The governor also gave a matching order on security agencies to
immediately arrest those behind the incident and bring them to book.
He said: “This afternoon, I received a very disturbing news about a
clash between security agencies and some militants who unleashed
shooting in Orlu LGA.
“I am totally sad over this incident which nearly painted a picture of
near breakdown of law in the state and I am condemning this act of
holiganism and those behind this will regret their actions.
“As an interim measure to check the crises, I have directed a dusk to
dawn curfew in 10 LGAs in Orlu zone between 6pm and 6am daily till
further notice.
The governor warned that anybody caught within the period of curfew
would be treated as a suspect to the crisis.
The affected LGAs are Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North and
Ideato South.
Others are Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwere Local Government. (NAN)