Let’s Talk About It UZODIMMA’S 7,000 VIGILANCE OPERATIVES

Radical Approach Towards Restoring Security Across Villages, Farmlands, Attracting Investors (By Peter Uwa) In his characteristic law-abiding nature, the Imo State Chief Executive and Renewed Hope Ambassador, Senator Dr Hope Uzodimma, CON, GSSR acting on the strength of Imo State House of Assembly Security Organisation Amendment Law No 3 of 2025, on Friday, January 9, 2026, formally inaugurated Imo State Security Organisation (ISSO) with seven thousand (7,000) operatives, a move interpreted by many current affairs analysts as a major milestone in Imo state government’s efforts to strengthen safety, peace, stability and security across the state.The governor in launching the security apparatus, posited that the inauguration serves as clear signal to investors and visitors that Imo state is focused on maintaining a safe climate for safety and development.

The point to contemplate here is that launching a state security organization as in the case of Imo state, is not a showmanship affair. The Uzodimma-led 3-mantra administration took into consideration, the realities on ground, the worries, concerns and fears of Imo populace on security issues.

Let us recall that some mischief makers, mainly from opposition political parties were at a time, and in the midst of series of evil attacks on Imo, shortly after the inauguration of Hope Uzodimma as Imo governor in 2020, accusing the governor of complicity over the grave insecurity that ravaged the state.Clear conscience they say, fears no accusations. With uncommon courage, wisdom, vision and prayers, Hope Uzodimma forged ahead in governance, concentrating on tackling the infrastructure decay and widespread insecurity which manifested in the forms of burning down the Owerri Correctional Centre, various police stations, private residential homes and incessant abduction of persons in all walks of life. To the glory of God, Governor Uzodimma with the help of law enforcement agencies and cooperation of well-meaning people of Imo state, as well as the federal government, succeeded in reducing insecurity to the barest minimum within record time.Governor Uzodimma during the flag off of the local security outfit, further stated, ” the inauguration is part of state government’s efforts to completely eradicate crimes and criminality in all communities of Imo state and, underscore our renewed commitment to peace and stability.” In his welcome address at the event held at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kalu Square, Owerri, the state Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Hon Modestus Orisakwe explained that the initiative represents a bold, strategic and visionary step towards addressing security challenges and ensuring peaceful future for all residents of Imo state.

” The establishment of Imo State Security Organisation signals the beginning of a new era of peace, safety and prosperity as the outfit was created in response to growing concerns over crimes and insecurity in various communities.”From the foregoing, no need to waste words in drumming it deep down the ears of Imo people that truly, a Daniel has come to judgement. In recent time, farmlands in rural communities across Imo state have for long, been bereaved of the presence of male and female farmers as a result of the menace of unscrupulous herdsmen and unknown gun men who attacked farmers at will and at times, raped, maimed and killed innocent female farmers. Rural communities, villages and individuals are also, known to have been unduly attacked and vulnerable persons abducted by unknown gun men who demanded ransoms or killed their victims.The resultant effect of invasion of farmlands by faceless gun men is widespread hunger, high cost of food items and poverty as farmers are too afraid to venture into their farms. Further, most of small scale businesses and artisans dwelling in the rural areas vacated their shops and ran to urban areas in search of accomodations and safety as the communities are constantly attacked by unknown strangers. In Okigwe area, Owerri West, Ohaji/Egbema, Ehime Mbano and other areas, people who were coming to settle down for investments in cashew, plantain, rubber latex, oil palm fruits, pineapple, cassava, rice, cocoa, yam, vegetables and other cash and food crops production are now on the run over fears of being attacked or abducted by unknown gun men. That is just the scenerio.With the launch of Imo State Security Organisation with 7,000 healthy young men and women trained and drilled by security instructors and experts drawn from across the nation’s security agencies, Imo people and the communities will now heave a sigh of relief. By implication, with 7,000 vigilance officers in government payroll, each of the 665 autonomous communities in the state will get 10 operatives keeping watch over the community in addition to the community’s local security arrangement. Owerri capital territory with four autonomous communities will now boast of 40 able-bodied vigilance officers augmenting efforts by the police, civil defense and other agencies. This, is wonderful and commendable indeed. Kudos to the Renewed Hope Ambassador, Senator Dr Hope Odidika Uzodimma (Onwa Ndigbo), a man of unparalleled foresight.This, is the situation presently in Imo state of Nigeria. For those who would want to politicise this initiative aimed at making Imo state safe, conducive, enjoyable and a home for all, they should, for the sake of God Almighty and posterity, just drop the idea. Everything is not politics. The unknown gun men or bandits do not know who is PDP, APGA, ADC, APP, LP or APC. And food insecurity as a result of the menace of bandits across farmlands does not favour any particular political party or individual as we all, buy from the same market.In the spirit of love for one’s father land, what the newly launched Imo State Security Organisation (ISSO) needs is massive support, prayers and encouragement from every Imo resident. It’s only the evil ones that would attempt to sabotage or frustrate this divinely guided initiative which fundamental objective is to contribute to efforts aimed at fully rescuing Imo state.HAPPY NEW YEAR, Ndi Imo !— Peter Uwa, (Chief Press Secretary to RT HON CHIKE OLEMGBE, Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly)