For sometimes now Imo has been in the news for the wrong reasons. The state has been under siege of armed attacks by the duo of a group labeled unknown gunmen and Nigerian military men. Imo people have lamented the loss of her numerous youths some who were allegedly picked innocently and dispatched to the grave.
Stories of over filled mortuary in the state hospital with many dumped at corners in the mug attracted so many outcries from the public. The state suddenly became an outcast with many avoiding visiting it in order not to be caught in the cross fires of gun shots. Economic and social lives suffered huge reverses. Night life itself became a nightmare even as businesses shut down before nightfall.
The Imo crises as much as many could recall took root and festered when the state government engaged the military to quell what it called an attack from a group it called hoodlums. The hoodlums’ government later fingered to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN). They were alleged to be responsible for the felling of security men on duty and burning of police station as well as the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
To arrest the situation which is becoming a national embarrassment to the government, the federal government ordered the police to restore peace urgently in the South East region especially Imo State. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) in launching the Operation Restore Peace at Enugu was reported to have ordered his men to take the battle to I gbo youths and kill them insisting that nothing would happen.
He is yet to deny such statement which had attracted wide spread condemnation within and outside the country. Perhaps, that was the courage at the back of the military that allegedly opted to gun down Igbo on trumped up charges. Many youths were picked up at random even in their own houses on mere suspicion. Any youth adorning black and black attire is suspected to belong to the dreaded ESN.
The Imo government in sympathy for our military men who lost their lives in the line of duty has gone ahead to give compensation to the families of the fallen victims. The government doled out N5m to the respective families. This action has attracted commentaries from Imo people who felt that the government effort is not equitable having excluded families whose children fell victim to alleged police brutality.
News Echo wishes to align itself with the views of the Imo people. We also consider it hasty that the government went ahead to pay compensation before the report of the Commission it set up to investigate the matter. It would have been more appropriate for the government to wait for the recommendations of the Committee which will be more comprehensive and far reaching.
Again, as employees of the federal government it is not unlikely that there would be further compensation from the government. Some of the interpretations giving to the action from a section of Imolites allude to government admission of guilt. Others hold the view of insensitivity on the part of government against youths it should be protective.
