The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has told Imo State residents to reject groups who sow violence and destruction.
Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday when he visited the state after gunmen on Monday attacked the Nigerian Correctional Services and the Police Headquarters in the state freeing an unspecified number of prison inmates.
The gunmen also set the facilities ablaze, leaving one person suspected to be a fleeing inmate hit by a bullet while carrying his travel bag.
The Vice President in a statement said, “We must reject any attempt to portray these criminal elements as anything other than representatives of their own malice and hatred. They do not represent the good people of this state and this geopolitical zone”.
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Osinbajo emphasised that anyone who perpetrates violence does not represent the progressive mindedness of the good people of this State and this zone.
“And I call on all of us to come together to resist any attempt to turn the progress and peace that this zone is set to experience to conflict and disruption.”
“An attack on the critical institutions of law enforcement, police stations, and prisons is an attack on the safety, security, and well-being of the citizens. It is not merely an assault on law and order, it is a mindless attack on the people and our way of life.
“When you attack police stations and free dangerous criminals, you put men, women, children, and their possessions and livelihoods at risk. Whatever the motives of the perpetrators, this action is egregious and atrocious in the extreme, and all men and women of goodwill must openly condemn this assault on the way of life of the good people of the state,” he added.
Prof. Osinbajo assured the people of the state that “the security in this city and the State has, since yesterday, been further enhanced and we are set to strengthen security capacity even more here.”
The VP noted that the search for the escaped inmates of the Correctional Centre has begun in earnest.
“I want to commend the Governor of the State for his calm, measured, but firm handling of the security situation in the State. The Federal Government stands with you and the great people of Imo State at this crucial time,” he added.
On the newly built road, the Vice President said, “this aligns with Mr. President’s own belief that the building of roads, rail, power, digital technology and other infrastructural assets must be the first priority for economic development.”
He noted while congratulating the Governor, that, “Africa’s largest economy can only provide opportunities for its huge population if it runs on modern infrastructure.”
The Vice President was in the company of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Uche Ogah; Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba; and the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu, among other dignitaries.
