Orlu Crisis: Gov Uzodinma Imposes Dusk-To-Dawn Curfew

The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on crisis-ridden Orlu LGA and neighbouring communities including Nkwerre, Ideato-south, Ideati-north, Njaba and Isu.

The Governor, who was shocked at the increasing level of killings in the areas, has immediately deployed military men to arrest the situation.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media, Modestus Nwamkpa, “the Governor has deployed security agencies for a 24-hour patrol to control the situation.

“He has, therefore, warned that any individual or group of individuals caught fueling crisis will be arrested by the military.

“So, residents in these areas are advised to obey the dusk to dawn curfew as imposed by the state Governor or have themselves to blame if caught. This implies residents are not expected to walk around 6pm to 6am.”

It was learnt that the root cause of the crisis was as a result of a faceoff between a group, Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the military which led to several loss of lives.

It was gathered that about eight buildings, including a church, Blessed Holy Trinity Sabbath Mission, in Okporo, Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State, were said to have been set ablaze by security operatives, who invaded the community.

A source said the invasion happened as early as 6a.m. on Friday, January 22, when the security operatives came in search of the members of ESN.

The soldiers were said to be drawn from the 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze.

Earlier last week, ESN, set up by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), released a video, showing its members boasting of how they dislodged security men, who abandoned their vehicles and fled.