Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that his administration would not be deterred by propaganda and blackmail in its quest to protect the life and property of Imo citizens.
He spoke yesterday after the Imo State security council meeting with regard to the alleged incident that took place at Awomama on Monday that led to the death of some bandits.
Governor Uzodimma said the government had been briefed on the incident by the director of state services in an interim report made available to members of the security council.
The governor added that the Department of State Services (DSS) director confirmed that his men carried out an operation in a Camp at Awomma with the assistance of their informant and not at a wedding place as claimed by the youths and that it was in the process that some bandits were neutralised.
He said while the security council awaits detailed report on the incident, it is important that the public are wary of those using the incident as propaganda tool to blackmail the security agencies and the government.
Governor Uzodimma also used the opportunity to describe as lie, the claim on social media and section of the traditional media about a 15-year-old girl allegedly impregnated in DSS detention.
According to the governor, security report indicated that there were two ladies who were caught with bandits about six months ago and they have been helping the DSS in identifying and arresting other dangerous bandits in the state.
Incidentally, the so-called teenager happened to be the girl friend to a key leader of the bandits terrorising the state but on the trail by DSS operatives.
The governor said security report had shown that the fleeing gang leader had reached out to his sponsors who have resorted to using the girl in question to blackmail the DSS and divert attention.
