Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has directed the arrest and possibly, prosecution of persons or group of persons masquerading as members of security taskforce on petroleum matters in the state.

“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, Abutu Yaro, has been mandated to arrest such persons or group of persons and ensure that they face thefull weight of the law for claiming what they are not, including claiming to be working for the government,” the governor’s spokesman, Oguwike Nwachuku, said Sunday in a statement.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Uzodimma has not constituted any such security taskforce and views the activities of such persons or group of persons involved as inimical to his vision which includes to ensure that things are done properly and within the ambits of the law,” the statement said.

“The Governor,” according the Nwachuku, “reiterates that there is no such security taskforce on Petroleum Matters set up by him yet with terms of reference and job specifications handed over to the members and therefore, views seriously activities of persons or group of persons pretending to be working in that capacity as criminal.

“The governor also advises members of the public to be wary of those involved in such claims and report them to the appropriate authorities.”