Uzodinma Imposes Curfew On Orlu Following Deadly Attack

Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the Orlu area of the state after an attack by gunmen on Monday, which resulted to the killing of an unspecified number of citizens.

Governor Uzodinma announced the imposition of the curfew in a statement issued by the Imo State government on Monday.

The governor condemned the attack, describing it as “extreme hooliganism and brigandage”.

He stated that such act is unacceptable to the state government, noting that he has directed the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.

The statement read: “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 appauled 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 dastardly act will ever escape justice. I assure them that they will pay for for their cruelty against a peace-loving and innocent people.”
Governor Uzodinma announced that the curfew in the affected parts of Orlu Zone is from 6pm to 6am and implored all citizens to respect the decision.

He stated that the curfew was imposed in order to restore peace to the area.

“As an interim measure to immediately restore the peace in Orlu zone, a dusk to dawn curfew (6 pm to 6 am) 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 statement read.

The governor condoled with the families of the bereaved and all the victims of the unfortunate incident and assured them that those who committed the heinous crime against them and their loved ones will be caught and punished according to the law.