Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has read the riot act to Nigerian soldiers who reportedly razed several residential buildings and business premises in the Awonmanma area of Oru East Local Government Area of the state on Monday.
The soldiers allegedly razed the community in retaliation for the killing of their colleague by yet-to-be identified residents of the area.
While condemning the “gruesome” killing of the soldier on one hand, Governor Uzudinma on other hand decried the “wanton destruction” of residential and business properties of innocent residents of the community.
“Certainly, this soldier who was on a legitimate duty to ensure free flow of traffic and to protect lives and property on Monday, Nov. 22, did not deserve to die such a gruesome death,” the governor said in a statement issued by the Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba.
Uzudinma said the aggrieved soldiers’ decision to embark on “indiscriminate burning of residential and business premises of innocent citizens was not an appropriate response since two wrongs will never make a right.”
He further advised both parties to, “exercise utmost restraint and maintain the peace while investigation lasts.”
He said security agencies must always show professionalism by abiding by the rules of engagement while discharging their duties.
The governor condoled with the family of the slain soldiers and sympathised with victims of the crisis, assuring that the state government would look into their losses.
