The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has said that he asked for military deployment in Orlu senatorial district to quell a threatening security situation.
The governor said he requested military support from President Muhammadu Buhari after realising that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had “serious firing power”.
Speaking with state house correspondents, the governor also said no one died in the operation.
Recall that Orlu had been in the news for a series of violent acts linked to the members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) set up by IPOB.
An earlier clash between the ESN and some security personnel had resulted in deaths and the destruction of properties.
Speaking after a meeting with Buhari in Abuja, Uzodimma said he alerted the president after seeing a growing pattern of killings and security incidents in Orlu that involved ESN militants.
“We discovered that the people had serious firing power, so there was a need for me to report the situation, and that I did and we were supported to deal with the situation,” he said.
“I came here, pleaded with Mr president for his support, and he sent additional support by sending in the police, and the military also came in. And that is where we are.
“It was at my invitation that the military came. And I did that because I know the situation was beyond the local arrangement; we needed help. And the help was given to us.
“As I speak to you, the situation has come down to normal. People are now going about their businesses, and those caught will soon be charged to court.”
The governor further pledged to uphold his duty of protecting the lives of citizens of the state. He said he was not out to crush anybody.
“Those that came through their intelligence identified where these people (IPOB militants) were, and I can tell you, all the people arrested, all the rifles recovered are intact, the people are under interrogation, not even one, not even one soldier, or one of those militants died in the process,” he added.
