A former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha has appealed to the federal government to intervene in the growing insecurity and rural migration in the state.
He expressed worry that the federal government is unaware that several local governments have been deserted in the state due to insurgency.
Okorocha made the disclosure while interacting with journalists at his Spilbat residence in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
He had escaped an assassination attempt last Friday after a policeman attached to him was gunned down along Amure, along the Okigwe-Enugu expressway. While they had dropped him off in Owerri, the convoy ran into gunmen who rained bullets on the three vehicles.
According to him, hundreds of people have deserted their communities in Imo following the outbreak of insurgency and the federal government is unaware to help address it.
He said, “Killings in Imo are under-reported and it is unfortunate we are not reporting to the federal government. There’s no day a traditional ruler, policeman or security operative is not shot dead in Imo.
“The federal government doesn’t know that Ohaji-Egbema, Ideato North, Onuimo, Orlu, Njaba and several other local governments have been deserted as our people have run away for safety.
“I call on the federal government to see what they can do to help restore peace and security of lives and properties in Imo. What happened last Friday to my convoy is unfortunate. Already the former governor, Ikedi Ohakim was attacked.
“Whatever step that can be taken must be taken, I can’t say who is responsible for this but what I want is peace restored. Something must be done urgently in this place to restore peace and security so that everyone can contribute their quota and our people can return home”, Okorocha said.
Okorocha who governed from May 2011 to 2019, called on political leaders to unite and find a solution, to save the lives of people and properties saying they should remove their political biases and save the state.
The former senator who just completed representation for Imo West at the senator disclosed plans to write Governor Hope Uzodimma on the urgent need to convene a security meeting of former governors of Imo to deliberate on insecurity with a view to fashion out a solution.
He said, “I intend to write Uzodimma a letter for the first time on the urgent need to call a meeting of former Imo governors to share experience with him which may help to stop this insecurity overnight.
“Ordinarily I wouldn’t want to meet Ihedioha or Uzodimma but for the sake of finding a lasting solution, I’m willing to. On my call for peace, I can sit with anyone, Hope, Emeka, Ohakim, Udenwa, anyone and after that we can go back to politics. And I know that through that meeting, Uzodimma will draw insights and know what to do to stamp out insecurity in Imo.’’
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