By Prisca Nguzo
Stakeholders of Imo State including traditional, community and regional leaders; leadership of the union groups, youths and students' Union leaders, as well as civil society organizations have pledged to shun activities that could incite violence or result in break down of law and order in the state.
The Stakeholders made the pledge a security meeting called at the instance of the state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma at the Command's headquarters in Owerri on Monday to fashion out ways to continually enhance safety of citizens and security of the state.
Speaking, Chief Herbert Chikwe, an elder statesman, Comr. Samuel Udeh, Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Imo State, Comr. Chukwugaemezu Nwigwe, Chairman, National Labour Congress, NLC in the state, Mrs. Blessing Duru of the civil society group, among others stressed the need for citizens to collectively embrace peace, necessary for overall development of the state.
They said that although the citizens have constitutional right to express their feelings and demands through peace protest, but attempt to hijack it by hoodlums to harm innocent citizens and cause destruction of public and private properties would be resisted.
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Imo NLC boss and others urged other citizens and residents of the State especially parents and guardians to discourage and ensure that their children and wards stay away from protest that could endanger lives, peace and stability in the state.
They also called on the citizens to support efforts of the police and other security agencies in the state to guarantee adequate security, as well as partner government's policies that would promote effective leadership and good governance both in the state and the nation at large.
Earlier in his speech, CP Danjuma reiterated his commitment to community policing, and attributed the achievements recorded so far by the command in areas of combating crimes and restoring stability in the state to genuine support from the state government led by Sen. Hope Uzodimma and the general public.
He assured that the Command would support any group who wish to engage in peaceful protest in the state by providing them adequate security, as long as such group complied to the rules of engagement which includes informing the police 48 hours to it, among other requirements.
He said, "the Command has also been monitoring developments surrounding the nationwide protest. Let me state clearly that citizens have the right to peaceful assembly and protest and the Command is highly dedicated to protecting such rights. However, any form of violent protest is criminal and would be met with minimum Force.
"I urge the religious leaders, traditional rulers, parents, and other stakeholders in the State to implore their children, wards, and subjects about the consequences of engaging in violent protest, as security and overall development of the State and Nation is a collective responsibility of every citizen."
Also in attendance at the meeting include Comr. Ifeanyi Nwanguma, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council, Hon. Modestus Osakwe, Commissioner of Homeland Security, Dr Emeka Mandela Ukeagbu, Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, HRH, Eze Dr T A Obiefule, representative of the Eze Imo and the Deputy Chairman IMO State Council of Traditional Rulers, Pastor Frank Onwumere, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Motor Parks and illegal Parking among many others.
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