The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, has charged the Nigerian Army troops to target criminal elements in the state.

He made this call during the flagging-off ceremony of the ‘Golden dawn’ operation by the Army in the state on Wednesday.

This was made known in a statement by the Nigerian Army on Thursday, titled ‘Governor Uzodinma flags-off Exercise Golden Dawn In Imo State’.

In the ceremony which took place at 34 Artillery Brigade Forward Operation Base at Orlu, Imo State, the Governor called on the Army to ensure that criminal elements are brought to justice.

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Uzodinma also called on other security service to “continue to consolidate on the gains so far made in curbing the activities of criminals who are hell bent on causing pain and hardship on the people adding that exercises such as this will greatly destabilize and bring to a halt the activities of hoodlums, kidnappers, cultists among other criminal elements.”

The Governor then commended the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade and his officers and soldiers for their sacrifices in ensuring that Imo state is peaceful.

Uzodinma assured the Army, and other security agencies that the state will support them to ensure that Imo remains a peaceful state.