By Cross Udo
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, yesterday said the security situation in his state has not degenerated to that level of asking the citizens to bear arms to defend themselves.

The governor also said the security situation in the state was under control and that citizens of the state no longer obey the Monday sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu who is on incarceration at the Department of State Service (DSS) facility in Abuja.

Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Uzodimma said he got the approval of the President to host the Army Day Celebration in the state, stressing that the measure would further improve the security.

On the security situation in Imo, the governor said the security agencies in Imo were on top of the situation.

He asserted that even though he was not in Zamfara and could not say why exactly the government was making the move, his administration was in control of the security agencies in the State.

During his meeting with the President, Uzodimma said, “Well, basically I came to see Mr. President and to thank him for his gracious approval that Army Day celebration is held in Owerri, South East of the country.

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“That of course we know will strengthen the measures that are already on the ground to contain banditry and insecurity in the region. So, for me, it is a good thing and for the people of Imo State, we are indeed very delighted for that.”

On what the leaders of the southeast are doing over the negative effect of the sit-at-home order on businesses in the region as well as their alleged “siddon-look” approach, he said there is no “siddon-look” in the South-East

He said, “The governors in the southeast are all working together to ensure that security is guaranteed for people to go about their businesses. The sit-at-home order is not operational in Imo State, it is not working in Owerri and sometimes, in some parts of the South-East where it’s still in operation, the governors are also working in synergy to ensure that it becomes a thing of the past.”

Asked whether he would support the proposal by the Zamfara State governor that asked individuals to procure licenses to own guns in the face of the insecurity, he said the security situation in Zamfara was not the same in Imo.

“Well, the situation in Zamfara is not the same as in Imo State. However, if the governor called for individuals to apply for licenses, I think the government will only issue the license to a qualified and eligible candidate, provided he is the approving authority that is responsible for the issuance of licenses that will issue the license.

“But I don’t think there is need for individuals, unauthorized people to carry arms in Imo State because the situation in Imo State currently is being managed and we have seen relative peace in the past weeks and the normal businesses incrementally have resumed.

“The reason the governor is asking for gun licenses for individuals is that the security services are no longer operational and that they cannot continue to live with a situation where their people are murdered every day and they can’t do anything.”

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Further asked whether he was saying that in Imo state, security services are up and doing and there is no need for citizens to prepare to defend themselves, Uzodimma said, “I didn’t hear the Zamfara governor say that, and if he did, I’m not in Zamfara State to know what exactly the situation is. However, I don’t think the security situation is beyond our security services.

“In Imo State, the security agencies have risen to the occasion and we’re in charge of the security, and as I told you earlier, the agencies are working in synergy and the situation has been controlled to the barest minimum.

“Currently, businesses have resumed and people are going about their day-to-day businesses without any molestation. So I think that we’re all working in an accord to ensure that nationally, the security situation is improved.”

On whether there was any new information on the arrest of Ahmed Gulak, the governor said, “Well, we are waiting for situation reports, as soon as it is ready I’m sure they will be made available to us, and I’ll make that also open to you people.”

Asked if he was not worried that some senators in National Assembly are leaving his party, the All Progressives Congress, despite his boast that the party will be victorious in next year’s election, he said that for the few that left, some others left other parties and joined the APC. So, one cancels the other.”