Following the declaration of a sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its sister groups to mark this year’s Biafra Day celebration, the Nigeria Police Imo State Command, under the leadership of CP Aboki Danjuma, has enjoined residents of the state to disregard the order and go about their normal engagements.
The Command also assured that it has deployed its personnel to all strategic locations to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
In a press statement made available to journalists, the spokesperson of the Command, DSP Henry Okoye, informed that the police are combat-ready to deal with any act of civil unrest.
He stated that the Police Commissioner has called on law-abiding people of the state to disregard what he described as a disruptive sit-at-home threat issued by IPOB and its security affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
According to the press statement, the Police Commissioner reassured all residents that the Command, in synergy with other security agencies, has activated robust security measures to forestall any form of threat or attack across the state.
The press statement further informed that the service commanders and heads of security agencies in the state, including Brigadier General M. I. Abbas, Commander 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze; the Director of DSS, DD Olushola Aguda; Commander Nigeria Air Force 211 QRG, Air Cdre. De Bello; as well as the heads of NSCDC, Immigration, FRSC, and Fire Service. have jointly instituted proactive measures and are working closely with the police to avert any sit-at-home threat and protect lives and property.
“Joint security operatives have been strategically deployed across the 27 Local Government Areas of the state. These operatives are currently undertaking intensive confidence-building patrols and operations to show force, deter criminal elements, and reassure members of the public.
“The Imo State Police Command therefore issues a stern warning to any person or group planning to breach the peace by attempting to enforce the illegal sit-at-home threat. Such persons will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land,”; he stated.
Okoye added that the Police Commissioner seized the opportunity to urge the people of the state to remain security-conscious and report any suspicious movement or activity within their environment to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines: 08034773600 or 08148024755.
