CURFEW: RESIDENTS DESERT ORLU FOR FEAR OF ARREST

Reporter : CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

More than twenty-four hours after Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State imposed dusk to dawn curfew in ten out of twelve local government areas that constitute Imo West Senatorial District to end wanton killings of civilians and security agents, normalcy is yet to return to Orlu Local Government Area, which is the epicenter of the crisis.

Although people were directed to go about their businesses from six o’clock in the morning to six in the evening, most residents have remained at home throughout the day for fear of becoming casualties.

Markets appear deserted and shops are under lock in some of the areas visited in Orlu Local Government Area.

The popular and busy Banana Junction in Orlu is now a shadow of itself as neither petty traders, who keep the area alive, nor commercial vehicles were sighted.

There is also a heavy presence of military personnel and policemen in the area with road blocks at strategic locations.

Some residents, who spoke with Radio Nigeria, called on the state government to take measures towards restoring normalcy to the crisis ridden area.

In the meantime, a socio-cultural organization, “Orluzurume,” has decried what it described wanton killing of innocent citizens in Orlu and called on the government to evacuate military personnel and other security agents in Orlu to douse tension in the area.

Addressing a news conference, the Interim Chairman of the group Professor Protus Uzoma, said rather than harassing residents, relevant stakeholders should dialogue to bring lasting peace to the area.

Crisis recently broke out in Orlu Local Government Area and its environs, which led to killing of civilians and some uniformed men in the area.