Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state has said that his government will not be deterred by propaganda and blackmail arising from Sunday killings in which more than seven youth attending a wedding ceremony at Awommama, Oru East of Imo State were reportedly killed. 

He spoke Monday after the Imo State Security Council meeting with regards to the alleged incident.

Governor Uzodinma said government has been briefed on the incident by the Director of State Services (DSS) in an interim report made available to members of the security council, adding that the DSS director confirmed that his men carried out an operation in a camp at Awommama with the assistance of their informant and not at a wedding place as claimed by the youth and that it was in the process that some bandits were neutralised.

He further said: “While the Security Council awaits detailed report on the incident, it is important that the public are wary of those using the incident as propaganda tool to blackmail the security agencies and the government.”

Uzodimma also seized the opportunity to describe as falacy the claim on the social media and a section of the traditional media about a 15- year -old girl allegedly impregnated in the DSS detention.

The governor said security report indicated that there were two ladies who were caught with bandits about six months ago and they have been helping the DSS in identifying and arresting other dangerous bandits in the state.

“Incidentally, the so-called 15- year-old lady happens to be the girlfriend to a key gang leader of the bandits terrorising the state, but on the trail by DSS operatives,” he said.