The governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodinma has reinforced the security operations in Imo with the handing over of operational vehicles and security gadgets to security establishments in the state.
in a statement made available to newsmen and also published on his official facebook handle, the governor stated that "Today's event heralds the presentation of more vehicles and security gadgets to our Operation Search and Flush team. It is a bold statement on our iron-clad resolve to flush out criminals from our dear state. It is a signal to bandits, hoodlums and trigger-happy criminals that their time is up in Imo State".
He however stressed that the handing over of these security vehicles and gadgets has further underscored the fact that his government can never be intimidated by criminals and their sponsors,which also reaffirms his government's commitment to the protection of lives and property of all citizens of the state including those on transit.
He recalled that when he assumed office as the governor of Imo State, he inaugurated the security outfit known as Operation Search and Flush,(OSF), which brought together all the security agencies to work as a team to fight every form of criminality. The objective then and now is to route and root out every aspect of crime in Imo state, while empowering the outfit then with 100 patrol vehicles and sophisticated communication equipments to help them achieve the objective.
He stressed that there is no doubt that the intervention yielded positive results. He however regretted the recent pockets of crime here and there notwithstanding.
He therefore, commended the heads of security agencies in Imo State and their men for their supportive roles in keeping Imo State and her citizenry safe. He further opined that no matter what might have happened recently, the gallantry and sacrifices of these patriotic officers have never been in doubt.
Uzodimma, used the opportunity to commiserate with families of the officers who paid the supreme price in the course of executing their lawful duties. He re-affirmed that his administration will always do the needful to cushion the pains of these losses.
The govenor however stated that his goverment shall do all within his reach to ameliorate the pains of families who lost their loved ones in the course of accidental engagements with security agencies, while sending his condolence to the affected families
Uzodimma further stressed that today's event is part of his Government's response to the evolving security challenges in the state, as his goverment is re-energising the security architecture in the state to make it more proactive and result-oriented, as these vehicles and equipment being donated by his administration are eloquent testimony to his government's resolve to confront and combat criminality headlong.
Furthermore, he stated that in coming weeks, his goverment shall be integrating the Imo State Vigilante outfit, otherwise known as Ebubeagu to complement the efforts of Operation Search and Flush, in fighting crime in the state, as he used the auspicious occasion of the event to declare a total war against crime, criminality and their sponsors in the state, thereby declaring zero-tolerance for crime in Imo State, as Imo State shall be a no go area for criminals.
Consequently, he stated that his goverment shall take the war to the doorway of all criminals; their kindred, their hamlets and their hideout, and shall smoke them out and flush them out of Imo State.
Consequently, he therefore charged security agencies in the state to chase the criminals to their hideouts all marijuana joints and places where other dangerous drugs are sold and used and ensure they are flushed out.
Uzodimma said "Henceforth, any landlord who avails his property to criminals, even smokers of weeds would be answerable to the law. In like manner, any traditional ruler in whose domain criminals abides and who fails to report same to relevant authorities will be held accountable."
"We can no longer tolerate a situation whereby our state is used as a breeding haven for criminals. To the good people of Imo State and residents, I say to you, you are Safe; go about your lawful engagements without any fear of molestation. No shaking. Your safety is guaranteed."