The Killing Of Three Vigilante Operatives In Umuaka-Njaba.

The working masses of Imo State are facing different attacks on all fronts. On one hand, they are grappling with the heavy weight of exploitation and mass looting of Imo resources and funds, on the other hand, they are paying the heavy price of Insecurity in the state. The state is ravaged by the menace of killers as different gangs of thugs regularly unleash terror.

On Sunday, Gunmen killed three vigilante operatives in Umuaka-Njaba. The vigilante operatives were conducting a patrol in a bus in the community when the gunmen ambushed them at a market. I condemn this killing.

Killings like this have been happening in the state for five years now. The state has witnessed an unprecedented incidence of insecurity. Those committing these crimes have been branded unknown gunmen. Crimes committed by these people include; destruction of vehicles; burning of houses, burning of police stations, killing of security men , killing of individuals, abduction of people etc.

The consequence is that socio-economic activities in the state are affected negatively, leading to economic hardship for the people. Investors are scared away, while the people feel too insecure to interact and socialize. This has resulted in a significant reduction of business activities with very dire consequences to the economy.

This is a real menace to industrialization, healthy living, freedom of worship, growth and sustainable development because businesses thrive tremendously in an atmosphere devoid of rancour, economic, social, religious and political quagmire.

Any government where the people are not free from threats to their lives and means of livelihood, not free from bodily harm is incompetent. In some parts of the state people sleep at night with one eye open and yet we have a government with the governor as the Chief Security Officer of the State. Such government is incompetent.

State security falls right on the laps of the governor. One reason for having a government in place is for the provision of security of lives and property of the citizenry. The 1999 constitution in section 14 (2) (b) provides that; “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”. One of the world’s best known political philosophers of all times Thomas Hobbes also stated that one purpose of government is the maintenance of basic security and public order. Hobbes was of the view that people in a community create and submit to the government for the purpose of establishing for themselves, safety and public order.

If the governor of Imo State,Senator Hope Uzodinma cannot provide security for Ndi-Imo then he should peacefully resign. The killings in the state has lasted for too long.

It is clear that the state of insecurity in Imo is largely a function of government failure and lackadaisical attitude towards the poor masses. This is showcased by the inability of the state government to deliver public services and to provide basic needs for the masses like shelter, food and jobs. The paucity of basic needs by the people of the state has created a pool of frustrated people who are ignited easily by any event to be violent.

Imo earns a great deal of revenue through oil , but the government fails to use these earnings to meet the needs of the people and to develop infrastructure as well as the economy. Where are the jobs in Imo State? The government has failed to provide economic succour or jobs.The rate at which unemployed youths are roaming about the streets of Imo is alarming. Some of these unemployed youths at present employ themselves by engaging in illegal activities.

In as much as we do not justify crimes, the growing poverty arising from the austerity programmes of governor Uzodinma is creating more idle and desperate hands in the devil’s workshop , hands and minds that would have been channelled towards more productive things to enhance the economy. But in a state where large numbers of the ruling elite have accumulated vast wealth through corruption and looting of local government funds the precedent has been set that crime pays.

Government in Imo today is Hope Uzodinma only. Imo people are suffocating. The teachers are suffering. The civil servants are suffering. Business men are suffering. Even the traders are suffering. What we have in Imo State is the more you look the less you see. In the state it is one day, one story for the gods;Hope Uzodinma is going to build a megacity in Okigwe; he will build two palm oil plantations; he will construct a 25-storey hotel; he will build three universities for the state; he will construct a world class market, he will send 400 youths abroad. All na "balablu blu bulaba".

The governor has practically become the sole administrator, expending public money and coming up with all manner of bizarre ideas without any legislative oversight.

The failure of governor Uzodinma and the ruling capitalist elite of Imo is reflected in the growing level of insecurity and poverty in the state . The typical response of the governor is to deploy excessive force but in the absence of resolving the root cause of insecurity, the governor’s strategy will fail woefully. Knowing full well that they cannot protect the people, the tiny privileged politicians in the state and rich individuals corner for themselves armed policemen and women for their protection leaving the vast majority of Ndi-Imo with little protection. This is a case study of security for the highest bidders and the wealthy leaving over five million Imo people insecure. Save us Oh God.

-Kenneth Uwadi lives in Mmahu-Egbema, Ohaji-Egbema LGA, Imo State, Nigeria and can be reached via 08037982714

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