Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma on Tuesday shed tears when he visited Izombe community in Oguta Council Area to assess the extent of damages to properties belonging to residents of the community.
Three people were feared dead, including two army personnel and a civilian during Friday’s squabble between oil bunkerers.
Uzodimma, who visited the community, expressed sadness at the damages done to people’s properties in the crisis.
“I am pained – I shed tears with what I have seen. The wealth created by my brothers and sisters has been burnt.
“What I have seen. A calamity has befallen Izombe. The wealth created by my brothers and sisters are burnt. Only God knows that I regard Izombe the same way I regard Omuma my place of birth.
“Hope Uzodimma is your brother. Please your anger should not boil over. I have told the army that the innocent must have peace. There must be peace in Izombe, there must be peace in Imo State – there must be peace in Nigeria.
“I am pained. Izombe community has stood by me throughout my political career.”
The Governor said: “If there is any community in Imo State where civilization should be resident, it is in Izombe community. Izombe is a community where we have so many wise men.”
Governor Uzodimma called on the leaders not to keep quiet over the incident. “Where are our leaders? Why are you keeping quiet? These youths are our brothers. I am not going to kill them. I will want them to repent and tell us why they have taken to crime.
“Unfortunately this has happened. It is so sad. Your Royal Highness, I want to condole with you. We are here on a condolence visit, to identify with my brothers and sisters.
“What happened is very bad. It is condemnable. I must be with you because when I was struggling you were with me – when I was challenged you were with me, so if you are challenged, I will also be with you.
“We are wasting time with too many quarrels. Let us come together.
“Look at the homes belonging to our kinsmen who suffered to make a living – now burnt. As if it is not enough, they are even afraid to come back home.
“Must we continue to live this way? Is it not time for us to change? We just have to change because what is bad is bad and what is not acceptable in a society is not acceptable.
“I will never support anybody to kill anybody in Imo state. I will set up a committee that will come and assess the damages. Where the government will assist the owners, we will assist.
“I shed tears with what I have seen. A calamity has befallen Izombe. The wealth created by my brothers and sisters are burnt. Only God knows that I regard Izombe the same way I regard Omuma my place of birth. Hope Uzodimma is your brother. Please your anger should not boil over.
“I have told the army that the innocent must have peace. There must be peace in Izombe, there must be peace in Imo State – there must be peace in Nigeria.”
