Governor Hope Uzodimma has assured Imo people that soon, those involved in kidnapping for commercial purposes in the state, will not have a hiding place any more as government is deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to bring them to book.
More importantly, the Governor assured the people that God will not fail to help the State expose all those hiding in the bush to perpetrate crime in Imo.
He gave the assurance on Sunday while speaking at the end of interdenominational Church Service to mark the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Government House Chapel, Owerri, Imo State.
While thanking the congregation for joining the Armed Forces to celebrate the Mass as a prelude to January 15 proper, the Governor reiterated that the celebration was necessary because “the peace we enjoy today is as a result of the supreme price some of our brothers and sisters paid to keep the nation together and give us peace.”
He added: “It is in the wisdom of the federal government that the period is set aside to pray for the soul of these our brothers and sisters, and to commiserate with their families to bear the loss with fortitude.”
Governor Uzodimma said Imo State is doing her best to support the Armed Forces to keep and maintain peace, noting that “the ugly stories of yesterday about Imo State is now a thing of the past.”
He reiterated his invitation to those hiding in the bush to commit crime to come out, and to have it at the back of their mind that “the war is over.”
Assuring that Government is ready and willing to help them do something meaningful, he said only when all of us do things that are meaningful that life will be better for everyone.
“Politics will come and go, Governors will come and go, Imo State will remain.”
The Governor cautioned against people encouraging barbarism, vandalism, killing and maiming of innocent and vulnerable brothers and sisters for no just cause and asserted that “at the end of the day all will answer for their deed before God, because the ways of God is different from our own ways.”
He warned that “there is God,” and called on all to shun evil and embrace righteousness.
Governor Uzodimma further prayed God to give us the courage to condemn evil by speaking out when we see one.
In his homily, the Rev Fr (Dr.) Augustine Agowuike harped on sacrifice and compared the lives of the Armed Forces who paid the supreme price to secure the Nation and State to that of Jesus Christ who laid down his life on the Cross to set us free from sin.
He urged the Christian faithful to continue to support and pray for the Armed Forces and other sister agencies so that their sacrifices will not be in vain.
The Mass was attended by the wife of the Governor, Barr (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma, the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Chike Olemgbe, members of the Imo State expanded Executive Council, the former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, members of the Armed Forces in State, the Legion, wives of fallen heroes, political Party leaders, immediate past President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu and others too numerous to mention.