THISDAY

House to Query Imo Security Chiefs over Okigwe Killings

- Udora Orizu in Abuja

The House of Representa­tives has resolved to question the Imo security chiefs over the gruesome killings in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo state.

The House also directed its Committee on Police Affairs and National Security to investigat­e the killings. It further urged the security agencies to beef up security within Okigwe zone to avoid future occurrence.

These resolution­s were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance, titled, ‘Motion of Urgent National Importance on the Need to Increase Security Presence in Okigwe Zone to Forestall Occurrence­s of Unwarrante­d Killings of Innocent Constituen­ts,’ that was sponsored by Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha.

Onuoha said there was massive shooting at Okigwe metropolis by unknown gunmen where lives were lost and several injuries were recorded.

She noted that a meaningful developmen­t could not be possible in an environmen­t that is characteri­sed by insecurity and avoidable casualties and fatalities.

She said: “The security of lives and property is the responsibi­lity of government and my constituen­cy, Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe Federal Constituen­cy inclusive. I’m shocked that on this fateful day 4th March, 2020, my people were helpless and unprotecte­d as hoodlums and criminals terrorised them for several hours leading to loss of lives and injuries.

“Remember, a motion of urgent National Importance was moved in this House on the 26th of January, 2020 over the killing of one Mr. Ndubuisi Emenike in my constituen­cy sometimes back. It was observed that their target was the leader and members of the neighborho­od vigilante group who have been collaborat­ing with the Nigerian Police to stop robberies and crime within the area.” “Even though the criminals informed the leader of the vigilante about their coming and informatio­n was passed to security agencies, yet nothing was done to prevent these needless attacks. It simply shows that there was no security presence at the time of the attack that lasted for several hours without any response from security agencies.”

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