The Imo State Government has officially announced a sweeping ban on all task forces operating within the state, following widespread reports of extortion and intimidation by such groups. The decision, made public in a press statement issued by I.A. Oguzie, on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, underscores the government’s commitment to restoring public confidence and curbing lawlessness.
According to the release, the decision to dissolve the task forces was driven by concerns over their negative impact on the public image of the government, particularly within Owerri, the state capital. Oguzie stated that such groups had been tarnishing the government’s reputation through illegal activities, prompting the government to take decisive action.
The ban is effective immediately, with the government warning that any individual or group operating as a task force under any pretext will be apprehended by security agencies. Those found in violation will face the full force of the law. The statement further emphasized that the dissolution applies to task forces across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the state.
This move targets the unregulated proliferation of task forces, especially in sectors like transportation and marketplaces, where they had long been accused of imposing unauthorized fines and creating undue hardships for citizens. Oguzie’s release stressed that these actions were taken to halt the lawlessness associated with such groups and to restore order.
Public analyst Ugochukwu Eze welcomed the decision, calling it timely and necessary. Eze pointed out that while task forces were initially created to enforce regulations and maintain public order, they had strayed from their original mandates, often becoming tools of harassment and extortion.
The state government’s bold step signals a commitment to protecting citizens’ rights and restoring a sense of justice and accountability in Imo State.
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