The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has compensated the families of the security men killed in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state a few months ago.
Gunmen had ambushed the security agents, killed and razed their operational vehicles.
A statement in Owerri, the state capital on Monday by the governor’s spokesperson, Oguwike Nwachuku, disclosed that the governor doled out the sum of N185m to the families of the slain security agents.
The statement read “Governor Hope Uzodimma has compensated the security agents who were killed in an ambush by unknown gunmen at Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State in the course of carrying out their duties, doling out N185m to the families of the deceased as well as to those who survived the attacks.
“Performing the ceremony on Monday at the premises of the Government House Chapel, Owerri, Governor Uzodimma appreciated the fallen heroes and those of them who sustained various degrees of injuries in the course of the attack, working as operatives of ‘’Search and Flush Operations.’’
“Addressing the audience in an emotion-laden voice, the governor who remembered how the security agents put their lives on line to protect the citizens of the State not only prayed to God to grant their various families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss but also to grant the survivors quick recovery from the injuries they are currently nursing.
“The governor noted that the occasion has brought to the fore the situation of insecurity in Imo State “as being beyond what people think and goes a long way to showcase the problems and the negative impact inflicted on the state.
“The governor recalled that this is not the first time the state government has appreciated those who died or were injured while carrying out their assigned duties and promised to continue to show love to the families and agencies affected so that they will continue to discharge their duties without fear or discouragement.
“He said though he is aware that the Federal Government and the Security Agencies have different compensation plans for their personnel, “this is an opportunity to appreciate the invaluable jobs the security agencies, that is, the Police, Army, Air Force, Navy, NDELA, Civil Defence and other Para-Military Agencies are doing in Imo State.”
“Governor Uzodimma proceeded to announce that the Government will give out N185 million to those affected and prayed God to give the families the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss, “and the repose of the souls of those that paid the supreme price to their fatherland.”
The Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, had earlier thanked the governor for “being responsive to the plight of the security agencies in the state.”
He also appreciated the government for coming to the aid of the families of the deceased and for assisting those who were wounded in the course of performing their duties.
Iwu said, “The attacks and killings of security agencies will not deter them from fighting against insecurity and restoring peace in the State,” and assured all that the “Government will continue to support the families and the various security outfits in the state.”
Those who died and whose families were compensated include; Isaac Yakubu and Mr. Samson Edeh of NDLEA; Ezeagu Emeka Tobias of NSCDC; Abraham Anas of Nigerian Air Force and Abas Ejiofor of the Nigerian Police.
The injured officers include Ibrahim Abubakar, Umeh Lawrence, Akwaraji Charles, Abubakar Haruna, Inspector Odukwe, Onyekachi Ndubuisi and others.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the others, a survivor, Umeh Lawrence of the Nigerian Immigration Service, thanked the governor, the government and the people of Imo State for the compensation and the various support for the security agencies, families and well-wishers.
He promised that they would not relent in their assigned responsibilities, but rather would continue to discharge their duties gallantly.
