CHRISTMAS IN IMO: HAS UZODIMMA WON THE WAR AGAINST INSECURITY?

 CHRISTMAS IN IMO: HAS UZODIMMA WON THE WAR AGAINST INSECURITY?

ONWUASOANYA FCC JONES

Pictures coming out of Imo State during this yuletide suggests real festivity, and while there cannot be absolute peace and safety anywhere in the world, one can authoritatively say that there hasn't been any major security incident in the last one week of Christmas festivities across Imo State.

Villages are bubbling with life and the usual Christmas activities and the State capital Owerri has all its good hotels booked to the last room, that I hear that people are ready to gazump others in order to get rooms ahead of them. 

For a State that had been threatened with the worst form of insecurity in the last three years, amidst constant threats from hooligans and terrorists pretending to be freedom fighters, it is a delightful surprise that people could actually move in and out of the State with little to worry about, except the usual security threat that is present in every other place.

Obviously , the greatest challenge that the 3R administration has had to contend with in the last four years is insecurity. While the government has worked assiduously to arrest the situation, it appeared at a time that the hooligans were becoming invincible as they continued to launch audacious attacks against innocent citizens and businesses in the State until recently. You cannot truthfully deny that the Omuma born businessman and politician has set a good standard in road construction and general infrastructural development as well as public service reforms and to an encouraging extent, the people's welfare. But, the issue of insecurity had proven a hard but to crack for the administration. Fortunately, in the last few months, it appears the security agencies are recording good results in tackling the ugly situation.

The governor, amidst various challenges and obvious sabotages has remained tenacious in his determination to confront the criminals and non-state actors. While it cannot be denied that in his attempts to crush these unwanted elements and stop the unnecessary bloodletting in the State, there might have been controversies and many, including myself, had demonstrated impatience with the state of things. But, if we must look at things, a little more dispassionately, we would not deny that there have been steady improvements in the security situation, especially, in the last few months. Understandably, every single incident of terrorist incursion rightly irks every responsible citizen.

For a State that saw close to 2000 prison inmates, most of whom are hardened criminals, unleashed on her in one single night, it is a great achievement that there could be a semblance of normality at anytime in the State. It appeared that the arrowheads of the insurgency had determined to turn Imo to the bastion of their atrocities and at a time we feared they were succeeding. 

It could have only taken a leader with a steely determination and patriotic zeal to confront the massive onslaught of the enemies of Ala Igbo against Imo State, and restore a semblance of normality, especially during this festive season. A trip around Imo would leave you with no doubt that even though, there cannot be absolute victory against insecurity, the investments made by the State government in curtailing the activities of these criminals and terrorists is definitely paying good dividends.

While we look forward to, and pray for this progress to be sustained and improved upon, we also need to commend the governor and his security chiefs and strategists for their efforts so far, as we look forward to a more peaceful, safer and more prosperous 2024 to all Imolites.

MAY IMO WIN!

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