Uzodimma Vows to Fish Out Killers of Imo JTF Operatives

Tony Icheku in Owerri

Governor of Imo State,  Hope Uzodimma, has assured the residents of Imo that the killers of seven Joint Task Force (JTF) members at Ehime Mbano area of the state  yesterday  will be fished out to face the law.

Uzodimma gave the assurance yesterday  evening, when he visited the scene of the gruesome murder at Umuezeala Owerre area of Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, who was accompanied by the security chiefs in the state, expressed sadness over the dastardly act.

He gave assurance that “the State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, will fish out the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to book”.

Uzodimma appealed to the leaders and people of the communities in the area to avail the government and security agencies of vital information that could assist in the investigation and immediate arrest of the suspects.

He also prayed for God’s mercy for the victims and the fortitude for the families to bear the loss of their loved ones in the incident.

Meanwhile,  the  Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO for  Imo State Police Command,   Mr Henry Okoye last  night confirmed in a telephone conversation with THISDAY, that five  members of the  JTF security team were killed,  while three members  were injured and hospitalised.

Earlier,  sketchy information alleged that the  early Tuesday morning ambush of the JTF claimed the lives of eight  officers, (uncertain number of soldiers and policemen)  members of  in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State sparking off   unease and tension in the LGA and surrounding areas

 Details emerging from the incident revealed that the JTF  team  in two Hilux security vans were patrolling the Ehime Mbano axis when a lone motorcycle rider halted them, ostensibly to report an incidental, after the report, after stating his report, the man lured the team off the major highway to a spot where they were ambushed and set ablaze by their attackers at Umualumaku ( Orieagu and Aba branch communities. The ambush was by the unknown gunmen

  The JTF team comprises men and officers of the Nigerian Army,  policemen and Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC

THISDAY witnessed heavy mobilisation of men and officers of the Nigerian Army and Policemen to the area in armoured vehicles and patrol vans .

The Divisional Police Command at Obowo has mounted a stop and search check point in front of its office along the Umuahia-Owerri road.