The Commissioner of Police for Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, has called on the people of the Orsu local government area to return to their deserted communities and assured them of safety.
Danjuma disclosed this in a statement signed by the Police spokesperson for Imo state, DSP Henry Okoye and made available to newsmen.
Okoye said on Tuesday that the CP led a tactical unit on a clearance operation across Orsu local government area as part of a peacebuilding visit to boost residents‘ confidence in returning to their deserted communities.
Some of the areas the Police boss visited were Eke Ututu Market, Ihiteukwa, Okwu Amaraihe, Awo-Idemili, Ihitenansa, and Amaruru, where he assured locals including youth leaders and community stakeholders, that a secure environment awaits their homecoming.
During the visit, the police boss interacted with the joint security personnel, which included the police, military, DSS, and vigilantes deployed to Orsu for peace-building operations.
According to him, the joint security operatives had reduced criminal activities and recovered several IEDs and various weapons from IPOB/ESN camps within the Orsu local government area.
The statement read, „The CP also connected with joint security personnel—police, military, DSS, and vigilance—deployed on peace-building operations. He met with clearance teams that have significantly reduced criminal activity, noting the recovery of assorted IEDs and other dangerous weapons from dislodged IPOB/ESN camps.
“At the Orsu LGA Headquarters, the Commissioner met with key leaders, including the Chief Security Officer of Orsu, Hon. Emmanuel Ike. Their discussions focused on strengthening partnerships and improving coordination for enhanced intelligence sharing and rapid responses to security challenges. Such measures ensure that every step is taken to safeguard the community.
“During his visits, the CP was accompanied by the Local Government Chairman, Hon Engr Friday Ibekaeme, the Honorable Member representing Orsu at the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Agabige and his management team. They visited key areas, including Eke Ututu Market, Ihiteukwa, Okwu Amaraihe, Awo-Idemili, Ihitenansa, and Amaruru, reassuring locals, including youth leaders and community stakeholders that a secure environment awaits their homecoming“, Okoye said.
Meanwhile, the police boss maintained that the commands were committed to security, the return of the locals, and enhanced patrols and intelligence.
“The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the Command‘s commitment to security, inviting displaced residents to return, confident in enhanced patrols and proactive intelligence. He urged everyone to report suspicious activity and stressed that lasting peace is a collective effort. CP Danjuma particularly called on Orsu‘s youth and residents to work with security agencies to restore peace and security“, the statement read.
Several communities in the Orsu local government area of Imo State came under the control of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), where violent crimes like kidnapping and cannibalism were perpetrated. Locals claim that over 9000 people were killed, with several corpses unaccounted for, which forced locals and people residing in the area to flee in 2020.
However, following a massive onslaught by the military and other security agencies, peace gradually returned, and people started returning to their once-deserted communities.