…Deploys Additional Units Of Police Mobile Force, Tactical Squads
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu, has fingered operatives of the Eastern Security Network ESN as being responsible for the attack carried out on custodial centre, Monday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Adamu who stated this in a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, condemned the alleged act by the security arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who have since denied being behind the attacks.
According to Mba, Adamu has “ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force and other Police Tactical Squads to the state to strengthen security in the state and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the state.’’
TheFact had earlier reported that some heavily armed gunmen on Monday attacked the Nigerian Correctional Centre and Police Command Headquarters in Owerri, during which about 1,844 inmates were forcefully released.
According to the statement, the IGP said, “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking in and looting the armoury.
“The armoury is thus intact. Similarly, the police suffered no human casualty, apart from a Police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder,” the statement read in part.
The statement titled, ‘Imo Attack – IGP Deploys Security Reinforcement Squads, Sets Up Special Investigation Team SIT’, further disclosed that the IGP directed the Commissioner of Police in the state and a new Special Investigation Team “to carry out holistic investigations into the incident with a view to fishing out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice”.
The IGP described the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of the nation, and has enjoined leaders in Imo State in particular, and the South-East and other parts of the country, in general, to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality.
“The IGP calls on citizens to avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals.
“He vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book, noting that the Force is doing all within its powers to curb the activities of unscrupulous elements hell-bent on threatening the unity, safety, security and socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians,” the statement added.
