The Imo State Government has pulled the plug on all task force operations within the state, following mounting accusations of misconduct, including intimidation and illegal levies imposed on residents.
The decision, which takes immediate effect, was communicated through a statement issued by I.A. Oguzie, speaking on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government.
According to the release, the ban was triggered by widespread discontent over the activities of task force units, particularly in the state capital, Owerri.
“There have been persistent public outcries over the unregulated activities of task force operatives. These groups, rather than maintaining order, have become agents of harassment,” the statement noted.
The government expressed concern that the task forces, many of which were operating under various MDAs, have gradually become lawless, tarnishing the image of the Uzodinma-led administration.
Governor Hope Uzodinma’s approval of the sweeping ban also comes with a directive to security agencies to identify and dismantle any group still acting under the task force label.
“Such groups will be treated as criminal elements and dealt with according to the law,” Oguzie added.
The state government emphasized that the decision was not just a response to citizen complaints but a strategic move to sanitize public spaces, curb abuse of power, and restore order to the state’s governance structure.
READ ALSO: Security Forces Dismantle Criminal Hideouts, Kill Four Suspects in Imo
The ban affects all task force bodies regardless of their parent agency or area of operation—be it transportation, markets, or public utilities.
Reacting to the development, social commentator and analyst Ugochukwu Eze praised the decision as a long-overdue intervention.
He noted that while the original intent behind forming task forces may have been to ensure compliance and discipline, many of the operatives had morphed into extortionists.
“In recent years, task force members have abandoned their core responsibilities. Instead, they’ve used their positions to exploit ordinary citizens,” Eze said.
He called for continued monitoring to ensure that disbanded groups do not resurface under new names or affiliations.
The government has urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any individuals or groups violating the directive, reinforcing its commitment to law, order, and citizen protection.