Owerri Deserted As Police, Army Embark On Show Of Force

Markets, schools, shops and business activities have been brought to a halt as residents stayed indoors yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

This is even as security agencies in the state embarked on show of force patrols to assure residents of safety.

The signature Douglas Market and Road which is likened to Idumota in Lagos was abandoned with shops shut. Not even the quick business-minded traders were anywhere in sight on the busy road.

From Douglas Road, Wethedral, MCC, Egbu, Okigwe roads, to popular business areas like Shoprite, Market Square, business owners stayed indoors amidst heavy security presence across the state.

The bus drivers, workers, students, food vendors, even commercial motorbikes were totally absent from the roads, making movement from one place to the other extremely difficult.

But, police spokesperson for Imo command, DSP Henry Okoye disclosed that security operatives were deployed across the state for water tight security against any breach.

According to him, there was a joint security show of force operation involving Police, Military, DSS, NSCDC, FRSC, and other sister agencies to boost public confidence and assure residents of safety.

Okoye said the show of force was to forestall “any breakdown of law and order following intelligence reports on plans by certain groups to stage protests demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently standing trial for treasonable felony”.

According to him, the exercise was aimed at boosting public confidence, reassuring residents of their safety, and warning individuals or groups against any action that may disrupt the existing peace in the state.

He said “a Joint Security Show of Force Operation is ongoing across the state, involving the Police, Military, DSS, NSCDC, FRSC, and other sister agencies”.

He warned criminals to desist from actions that could threaten the peace of the state saying “Police has warned all criminal elements and mischief-makers to desist from actions that could threaten the peace of the state and urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and report any suspicious movement to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency numbers 08034773600 or 08148024755.”

Meanwhile, “the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across Imo State. He noted that while the Command respects citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, any act capable of disrupting public order or endangering safety will be met with firm and lawful resistance”, Okoye said.