The Imo Police Command as false, a report that gunmen enforcing sit-at-home bombed a market in the state while setting vehicles ablaze and in the process, many persons were injured.
We had, while quoting a national newspaper, reported that “gunmen while enforcing sit-at-home order of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday, 20/06/2022, Bombed the popular Izombe Central Market in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
CSP Michael Abattam, the command’s public relations officer said the publication is “false, misleading and a calculated attempt to undermine the already improved security situation being enjoyed in the state and also to dampen the confidence the Command has achieved with the good people of the state since the arrival of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, psc (+), few months ago.”
CSP Abattam said their was no bomb blast in the market “and there was no record at the disposal of the Command that, the traders were in anytime warned by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or it militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) not to come out on Mondays for their businesses. Moreso, the community has always engaged in their market business without fear of molestation from anybody.
“However, preliminary investigation conducted by the Police Operatives on arrival at the market while responding to the distress on 20/6/2022 at about 1630hours, revealed that some overzealous miscreants came to the Izombe Central Market in Oguta LGA of Imo State, on a motorcycle, went to a stationed Bus where the conductor was canvassing for passengers traveling to Owerri and set it ablaze in the name of enforcing sit-at-home order in the Community and left almost immediately after the act. However, no life was lost and most of the people have left because it was the close of market.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, psc(+), commends the good people of Imo State for their unalloyed support given to the Command and enjoined them to disregard false news as it is capable of causing palpable tension as well as installing fear in Imolites both at home and in diaspora, that there is insecurity in the State.”
