Senator Athan Nneji Achonu, a former lawmaker and the Labour Party’s Governorship candidate in the 2023 Imo State Election, has expressed his outrage over the deadly assault on three communities in the Ideato North Local Government Area on Thursday, July 25th, which resulted in the deaths of at least seven individuals at the hands of armed attackers.
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He labeled the incident as “barbaric and deeply disturbing,” urging the Nigeria Police to move beyond standard procedures and conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify the underlying causes and bring the culprits to light. These ongoing killings are intolerable,” Senator Achonu stated in a press release on Saturday, July 26.
“The Police must not only react but also identify the offenders, ensure they face justice, and restore public trust in our security system. We cannot permit our communities to become arenas of fear and violence.”
The Senator also expressed his condolences to the Nigeria Police Force regarding the recent assaults on their personnel in various parts of Okigwe Zone, denouncing the targeting of security forces as “a direct challenge to law and order,” he remarked.
“Our police officers are already stretched thin and lack adequate resources. The attack on them is not just tragic but represents a perilous escalation that needs immediate attention.”
He further urged the Imo State Government and local authorities (who are now receiving direct allocations from the Federal Government) to take their constitutional duty for local security seriously.
“It is time for our local governments to step up to the plate. With the funding now at their disposal, they have no justification for not prioritizing the safety of lives and property. They must collaborate closely with community leaders and the Police to establish and enhance vigilante groups that are well-trained, supervised, and responsive,” he emphasized.
Senator Achonu also raised concerns about how armed criminals could traverse multiple communities without being intercepted.