Imo Attackers Are Members Of Ipob’s ESN - IGP Says

 

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, says operatives of the Eastern Security Network carried out Monday attacks in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Adamu condemned the alleged act by the security arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra. IPOB, however, has since denied been behind the attacks.

The IGP in a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force and other Police Tactical Squads in Imo to strengthen security in the state and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the state.

The PUNCH had earlier suggested that gunmen attacked the Imo State Police Command headquarters and the Owerri Correctional Prison.

Scores of motors have been razed round 1am on Monday whilst gunmen attacked Owerri and freed at least 1,500 inmates.

The hoodlums additionally freed the suspects in almost all of the cells at the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command.

Reacting in the announcement on Monday, the IGP stated, “Preliminary investigations have discovered that the attackers, who came of their numbers with state-of-the-art weapons including General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are contributors of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The strive by the attackers to benefit access to the Police armoury on the Headquarters became completely and correctly resisted by Police operatives on responsibility who repelled the attackers and averted them from breaking-in and looting the armoury.

“The armoury is thus intact! Similarly, the police suffered no human casualty, other than a police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder,” the statement partially examine.

The announcement changed into titled, ‘Imo Attack – IGP Deploys Security Reinforcement Squads, Sets Up Special Investigation Team (SIT)’.

The IGP also directed the Commissioner of Police inside the country and a new Special Investigation Team “to perform holistic investigations into the incident with the intention to fishing-out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice”.

“The IGP, who described the deliberate and crook assault on safety operatives as an assault at the soul of our state, has enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and different elements of the u . S . A . To talk out against the unfolding violence and criminal activity.

“The IGP calls on residents to avail the Police and other protection groups with beneficial information that may help in figuring out and arresting the criminals.

“He vowed that the perpetrators can be brought to book, noting that the Force is doing all within its powers to lessen the activities of unscrupulous factors hell-bent on threatening the unity, safety, safety and socio-monetary well being of Nigerians,” the assertion delivered.