BEVERLY HILLS, April 05, (THEWILL) – The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has accused operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN, a security arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB) of being responsible for the Monday attacks in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
THEWILL had earlier reported that gunmen attacked the Imo State Police Command headquarters and the Owerri Correctional Prison.
Reacting to the incident, IGP Adamu in a statement on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force and other Police Tactical Squads to the state to strengthen security and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the state.
According to Adamu, “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 IGP also 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, who described the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of our nation, has enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country 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.”
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction to the police allegation, IPOB has denied responsibility for the attacks.
A statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said the attacks were not carried out by operatives of ESN.
He said: “The attention of IPOB has been drawn again to the fallacious and fabricated news that IPOB and ESN are involved in the attack of prison and police headquarters in Owerri Imo State.
“IPOB and ESN are known groups, not unknown gunmen. ESN is in the bush chasing Fulani terrorists, why linking IPOB and ESN to this attack?
“IPOB and ESN were not involved in the attack in Owerri, Imo State and the recent attack on Onitsha Owerri road at Ukwuorji junction. It is not our mandate to attack security personnel or prison facilities.
“The Nigeria Government and her compromised media outfits should stop linking IPOB and ESN to the multiple attacks going on in Nigeria now.
“IPOB was formed on the principle of peace and we are still in it. Unknown gunmen are a different people which we don’t know them and they are not IPOB or ESN security outfit.”
While soldiers have taken over the Okigwe roundabout and road leading to the Correctional Centre diverting traffic flow, security agencies have launched a massive hunt for 1,884 inmates of the Owerri Custodial Centre, who escaped after the facility was attacked on Monday morning.
Six escaped inmates have, however, returned to the facility while 35 others did not escape during the attack.
In a related development, the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has imposed a curfew on Aba and Umuahia communities.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, Abia State Commissioner for Information, John Kalu, said, “The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the imposition of curfew in Aba and Umuahia metropolis between 10pm and 6am daily from today, Monday, 5th April, 2021 till further notice.
“This is sequel to security reports received from multiple sources, and informed by the need to continue to protect innocent citizens and residents of the state.
“Security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure strict enforcement and compliance with the directive. Only those on essential services with proper identification are exempted from the curfew.
“We urge traditional rulers, men of the State Homeland Security Team and Community Vigilante Services in the state to monitor movement of persons within their respective domains and take necessary measures to protect the people and their property.
“All law abiding citizens are advised to go about their normal duties, outside the curfew period, without fear of molestation as the security architecture of the state is robust enough to guarantee their safety.”
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