Uproar In Imo Over Gunshots, Reported Activities Of Gunmen (PHOTOS)

Anxiety pervaded the Owerri Capital city of Imo State with people running to and fro and shops abruptly shut over reported incident of possible bloody exchange between the security agents and suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

As residents of Owerri had put behind them the usual Monday sit-at-home order following the denouncement of the order by the leadership of IPOB, when the report filtered into the air over the enforcement of the order, residents were taken unawares.

Major Super Markets, Banks and other business layouts and offices were shut abruptly. Motorists, for fear of attacks closed from work.

Parents were seen in their numbers visited schools to withdraw their children. While some schools for fear of attack closed for the day.

However, when NewsTrack visited Ogbo-Osisi market, joint security forces were seen fully armed in bullet proof vest harassing the youths around the building material markets. This was either to find out if they were innocent of the reported presence of “unknown gunmen”.

Getting to Owerri-Aba Express Way, at the military check point, commuters were asked to come down from the commercial commercial vehicles, including private once. They were ordered to raise their hands to walk some 200 distances away from the check point.

Getting back to Weatheral, the every busy road was deserted with only few vehicles on the road.

A visit to Douglas opened another development. The ever busy road was deserted with people walking with each rasing two hands to avert the anger of the security agents.

Meanwhile, security was beefed as the Commissioner of Police was seen in his convoy heading towards Egbu Road while other groups took position at different strategic points.

In his reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Michael Abatham blamed the development as a result of mere rumour and hallucination by those whose intent is to cause confusion in the state.

“It was the rumour that created the pandemonium bit our men and officers are in every nook and crannies,” he enthused.

He further advised members of the public to go about their normal business, assuring them adequate that security has been put in place to secure lives and property in the state.