IMO GOVT INTERVENES IN OGUTA/OSSEMOTO CRISIS, WARNS PARTIES TO STAY ACTION

The state government has advised the people of Oguta Amaeshi and Ossemoto autonomous communities in Oguta Local Government Council to shun any act capable of breaching the peace in the area, warning them to stop any ongoing action in areas on dispute until unanimous decision is taken on the matter by the state government.

Secretary to the Government of Imo State (SGI), Sir Jude Ejiogu dropped this hint on Monday, February 15th, 2016 while addressing the good people of Ossemoto autonomous community who called on him at the Cabinet Office to register their grievances over an alleged encroachment into their lands by some individuals in Oguta LGA.

Sir Ejiogu commended their peaceful conduct in handling the situation, assuring them that the state government would not leave any stone unturned in solving the crisis, while appealing to them not to take laws into their hands.

The SGI reminded them that Oguta LGA remains an integral part of Imo state which is the reason for the establishment of the Marine University in the area, adding that government would not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with anyone seen breaking the law or breaching peace in the society.

He therefore enjoined them to live in peace and in harmony with one another so as to avoid any form of bloodshed. According to him, the security agents were on ground to arrest and prosecute any person who tries to foment trouble in the area.

Speaking earlier, the leader and Spokesperson of the team, Ichie Ofonedu Ignatius expressed bitterness that their children had stayed out of school while their means of livelihood has crumbled as a result of mayhem unleashed on the community by gunmen who have been terrorizing them since the past one week, stressing that their lands had been bulldozed by individuals whose stock in trade was to cause panic in the area, in order to reap from where they did not sow.

He called on the state government to rescue them from the unwarranted intimidation and humiliations, pointing out that his people decided to appeal to Governor Okorocha's rescue mission administration to look into the matter with a view to finding a lasting solution to the public unrest.

Ichie Ofonedu further reiterated his people's rare support to the present administration in the state, affirming that the state has witnessed enormous transformation since it came on board in 2011 and called on all hands to be on deck in ensuring that the state is developed.