Governor Hope Uzodimma has again urged Imo residents to ignore IPOB’s sit-at-home order.

Mr Uzodimma stated this during a church service on Sunday at the Government House Chapel, Owerri.

He called on residents to go about their normal business, adding that those behind the order had been identified and would soon be arrested and arraigned.

He thanked the residents for contributing to the hosting of President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday and called on those who he said worked to sabotage the visit to ”search their consciences in whatever they do.”

Speaking on the rising prices and scarcity of petroleum products in Imo, he requested petroleum marketers to revert to normal prices immediately.

He said the state government had set up a task force that would go round, identify and seal all filling stations caught in the act, arrest and make them face the full weight of the law.

According to him, any filling station selling the products in the black market will be sealed and have their licences revoked.

“Government cannot be complacent while her citizens suffer unwarranted and untold hardship. We will not continue to watch oil marketers mete out hardship on the people while they sell their products as the black market,” he said.

Present at the service were Deputy Governor Placid Njoku, the speaker and deputy speaker of Imo House of Assembly, Paul Emeziem and Amara Iwuanyanwu.

Also present were the senator representing Imo North, Frank Ibezim and a former deputy governor of the state, Ebere Udeagu, among others.

(NAN)