Governor Hope Uzodimma says he is capable of dealing ruthlessly with the brains behind the violent attacks in Imo but that he does not want blood to flow in the state.

“My government is not weak. My government is only God-fearing. The only thing is that we hate to let blood (flow),” said Mr Uzodimma. “We cannot allow the killing of innocent citizens and the activities of non-state actors in the form of criminals and hoodlums to overtake the political space.”

He accused disgruntled politicians of being behind the wanton violence that has characterised Imo.

“These are the activities of wicked politicians who are unrepentant and have continued to sponsor the killings of their fellow brothers,” stressed the Imo governor. “They are challenging God because when you are after the creation of God, you are after God.”

According to a statement by his media aide Oguwike Nwachuku, the Imo governor gave the assurance in his Easter message at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Parish, Ozuh Omuma, Oru East local government area.

Mr Uzodimma enumerated the travails to include killing innocent citizens, burning public and private property, burning police stations, and killing police officers.

He urged the congregation to join him in praying to God to touch the hearts of those perpetrating the violence to repent in the spirit of Easter “as we mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

He noted that the killings in Imo were politically motivated and were not the handiwork of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

According to him, the properties of opposition politicians were hardly affected by the menace in Imo, an indication that politicians could not be exonerated from the killings and wanton destruction of property.

The governor urged the brains behind the violent attacks to repent.

(NAN)