Imo Attack: IGP Deploys Reinforcement, Sets Up Special Team

• CP, SIT get marching order to bring perpetrators to book

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Jolted by the deadly attacks on security formations and other critical national infrastructure in Imo State, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, has deployed additional units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other Police Tactical Squads to strengthen security and prevent further criminal threats in the state.

Additionally, the IGP has challenged leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality crippling the country.

IGP Adamu’s directives followed the attack on security operatives and formations, including the Imo State Police Command Headquarters and the Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) in Owerri in the early hours of Monday, April 5, 2021.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba said preliminary investigations revealed the attackers 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).

The statement identified them as members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Mba said their desperate attempt at breaking into the Police armoury at the State Command Headquarters was “totally and appropriately resisted by Police operatives on duty.”

According to him, the officers were efficient and successful in respelling the attackers and prevented them from breaking-in and looting the armoury.

“The armoury is thus intact!”, the statement assured.

Similarly, the statement said besides a police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder, the Force did not suffer any human casualty in the confrontation.

The Police Spokesman also disclosed that one operational vehicle used by the attackers has been recovered by the Police and is currently being subjected to forensic scrutiny and investigations.

The statement said in condemning frequent attacks on security outfits, the IGP has further directed the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command and a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) to carry out holistic investigations into the incident with a view to fishing-out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

It explained that SIT is specifically set up to deal with cases of incessant attacks on security formation/operatives in the nation’s South-East region

“The CP is to harness the security reinforcement squads and other operational assets at his disposal to take the battle to the door-steps of the attackers and prevent any further attack anywhere within the State and its environs”, the statement said.

The Police boss, who described the deliberate and criminal attacks on security operatives as an attack on our nation, urged “citizens to avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals.”

Also vowing that the perpetrators will be brought to book, IGP Adamu said 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-ecomomic wellbeing of Nigerians.”