IMHA amends security law to accommodate Vigilante groups

DDM NEWS

Olemgbe

The Imo state House of Assembly has amended security bill to accommodate Vigilante groups in Imo communities.

The one line amendment bill is aimed at combating insecurity in the state with Vigilante groups.

Citizens Samuelson Ikenna Iwuoha from media office of Imo state House of Assembly stated this in a report on the 20th May 2025.

The report read: “In a bid to reorganize and strengthen the security architecture in the State, the Imo State House Of Assembly has Amended the Imo State Security Organization (IMSO) Law No. 2 of 2021.

This became necessary in order to boost the security of the State, and in a bid to achieve the needed result in the fight against insecurity.

This was the outcome of the House Plenary activity on Tuesday 20/05/2025.

Coming as an Executive Bill, it was presented by the Majority Leader and Member Representing Owerri-west State Constituency, Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi, and passed through First Reading, Second Reading and finally, Third Reading.

During the Second Reading, the Majority Leader explained that the security challenges in the State have made it imminent for the House to take another look at the Imo State Security Organization Law No. 2 of 2021. According to him, the One-Line Amendment was in the inclusion of VIGILANTE GROUP in the amended law which was not captured in the Original or Principal Law of 2021.

The Amendment tagged “Imo State Security Organization (IMSO) Amendment Law, has an insertion of a new subsection 5 to section 6 of the Principal Law, which empowers all the Autonomous Communities in the the State to set up Vigilante Group.

Hon Onyemaechi further explained that by virtue of the Law, each of the Autonomous Communities in the State will set up a Vigilante Group, and with the new Law, will combat security challenges, as well as form a unifying factor with Traditional Rulers, President Generals, Community leaders etc, joining hands together to nib insecurity in the bud.

Speaking further, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi commended the State Governor, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, who as the Chief Security Officer, has continued to place the security of lives and properties in the State above every other consideration. In his words, the Majority leader said, *”Governor Uzodimma knows what it takes to fight insecurity, he has not relented in achieving this zero security threat. By the time every community forms Vigilante Group, insecurity will be curtailed. With the law, welfare of the would-be Vigilante Group would be taken care of, and their work entitlement justified by law”.*

The Bill was supported by the following Lawmakers who made very inputs :

1. Hon Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).

2. Hon Clinton Amadi (Owerri Municipal).

3. Hon Okey Ernest Udeze (Ideato-North).

4. Hon Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba (Isu).

5. Hon Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru).

6. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano).

Following the Second Reading, the Bill was committed to the Committee of the whole, which was chaired by the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, where it was further scrutinized. Thereafter, it was Passed into Law following a unanimous Vote in its favour by Honourable Members.

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