The reported killing of eight elders in the Umucheke Okwe community in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State marks yet another episode in the gory, often senseless deprivation of lives that has of late been the near norm in many parts of the Southeast of the country. It is worrisome that just when some level of sanity begins to rear its head, the peace is brutally and violently terminated, to the extent that many citizens, inundated with many similar reports, simply shrug their shoulders and move on. Yet, the victims are innocent Nigerians who have the constitutional right to life like others, including their killers.

The latest incident unfortunately portrays the country as still in the thick of barbarism, and not compatible with life in decent other climes. Although the incident might have caught law enforcers unaware, it does not portray security agencies as very alive to their responsibilities, given also that days or weeks after, no one has been apprehended. This indication of incompetence or unwillingness to perform basic security chores is what the police should work seriously upon if they are not to completely lose the confidence of Nigerians.

The attack on the elders, by yet unknown gunmen, is said to have occurred days after gunmen killed at least eight people, including five police operatives in multiple attacks between Monday and Tuesday in Imo State. The victims included the President-General of the community, Hyginus Ohazuruike, along with seven village chiefs. The gunmen were said to have stormed the president-general’s shop where he and the village chiefs were having a meeting in the community and opened fire on them.

This ugly incident should not be taken lightly by the authorities. Whether or not the killing was carried out by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who were alleged to unleash terror and mayhem in the South East remains a thought-provoking issue.  The more important thing is to find the killers and bring them to book. Killings and insecurity in the South East region took a frantic turn in recent times when it was alleged that some IPOB members were on a revenge mission over the arrest of some of their members by the security agencies. A few months before the attack, the IPOB members had accused some members of the Eze’s, (monarch) cabinet of the Umuecheke community of having informed the security agencies which led to the arrest of some of their (IPOB) members and they threatened that if their members are not released, they would kill the Eze’s cabinet members.

No doubt, the dastardly act elicited a general feeling of helplessness and fear among the people as it seemed the IPOB had conquered the Onuimo community. According to a resident, IPOB members have relocated from the Arondizogu axis in Ideato to Onuimo because it has a large expanse of forest to cover their nefarious deeds.

However, if there is anything Nigerians, and particularly the Imo people desire the most from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, it is for the president to keep faith with his Renewed Hope 2023 campaign promises on national security. Of course, it is the fundamental responsibility of the government to protect the lives and property of its citizens. For this to happen to various communities across the country which are equally embattled, President Tinubu must keep faith with his Renewed Hope 2023 agenda which states: “Our government will work in close collaboration with state governments and National Assembly, to enact measures necessary to secure and protect communities from criminal violence, particularly kidnapping and terrorism. These measures will be flexible and adaptive in order to fit local realities and challenges. Some instances may call for the establishment or enhancement of civilian neighbourhood watch groups. Others may require the establishment of more formal locally-based law enforcement institutions”. The point must be made that more than a year down the line, Nigerians are yet to feel the succor of these words.

Imo State has become a killing field in the past few months, a worrisome trend that has paralysed the state’s economic activities, particularly on Mondays being declared by the IPOB group as sit-at-home. A few weeks ago, reports of the killing of four police officers on stop-and-search and a female POS operator along Owerri-Onitsha road sent shivers down the spine of residents. According to the police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, two policemen were killed in a separate ambush along old Garaki road in Okigwe. It is rather disturbing that while the country needs local farm produce to offset rising inflation and help to sustain the economy, the federal government’s strategy towards solving insecurity is becoming less and less effective and the people are becoming more impoverished as many can no longer farm or trade without fear of being killed.

It is unsettling, nevertheless, to see a shining state like Imo suffer all these atrocities from unknown gunmen simply because authorities are not taking effective measures to address insecurity. There ought to be deliberate and continuous efforts by the security operatives to collaborate with members of the public and create an enduring partnership in the fight against crime. Also, the citizens should be more vigilant about strange people in the community as this would help to reduce casualties of hapless citizens.

After more than a year in office by the present administration, Nigerians yearn for peace and the eradication of senseless killings across the country. They yearn for the implementation of the promises made by President Tinubu. No government or security agencies should appear lackadaisical in the face of wanton destruction of lives and property.  So far, from all indications, there is a failure of leadership and a lack of sincerity both in government and among the security agencies. This should not be allowed to degenerate into failure of the state. Therefore, President Tinubu’s administration should honour his Renewed Hope 2023 manifesto and restore the atmosphere of peace in the country by taking a bold step against insecurity in the country. The time is now.