Residents of Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo have slammed the Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police for arresting and parading festival attendees as unknown gunmen.
Imo state police command had on Monday paraded eight persons it claimed attacked Agwa Police Station on Saturday.
The command said the persons suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) killed four gallant police officers.
Mike Abattam, the public relations officer of command in a statement on Monday said the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed, after on spot assessment of the incident immediately, directed the Command’s tactical teams to commence a detailed investigation to unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
“The Command’s tactical teams, on the 06/8/2022 at about 0300hrs, after a diligent gathering of credible intelligence, raided some identified criminal hideouts located between Agwa and Izombe communities in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, where the hoodlums, on sighting police operatives engaged them in a gun duel, in an attempt to escape arrest.
“They were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the operatives.
“While some suspects escaped, eight persons were arrested. They include the following: – Obioma Chibuike ‘m’ age 18 years, Achazie Chidiebere ‘m’ age 22 years, Onyedikachi Nwadike ‘m’ aged 19 years, Anayo Onyemere ‘m’ aged 51 years, Ifeanyi Mboyi ‘m’ aged 26 years, Chukwudi Onyeausi ‘m’ aged 29 years, Obodo Promise ‘m’ aged 17 years, Ifeobu Ebubechi ‘m’ aged 22 years.
“On the spot enquiry revealed that all the arrested suspects were natives of Agwa and Izombe communities respectively.
“Their weapons were recovered when their hideouts were searched, they include; one pump action gun, two locally made guns, six cutlasses, one Biafran flag, eight live cartridges, eight expended cartridges and one masquerade apparel.
“On their way out of the hoodlums’ hideouts, one of the overzealous suspects, Ifeanyi Mboyi attempted escaping from the lawful custody of the operatives and was swiftly demobilized by the ever gallant police operatives.
“The suspect sustained bullet injury on his left leg and was taken to Federal Medical Center Owerri, Imo State, where he is undergoing treatment and is in a stable condition.
But a community leader in Izombe, Emeka Onwuegbu said the people paraded were arrested while attending the annual Okorosha Festival.
He said that Izombe, which was a peaceful and bobbling Oil Community has been turned into a battlefield.
According to him, “Our youths are being incarcerated and killed, because people want to occupy political positions by fire by force. Innocent young men are shot at, arrested, and branded Criminals, Bandits, ESN, IPOB, Terrorists, etc.
“The community was in a celebration mood, getting ready to host their friends and invitees to the final outing of their Okorosha Festival.
“Somebody perceived that a political opponent may be coming to celebrate with his supporters from the town, and the best he could do was to bring in the Ebubeagu Militia, to create a crisis-like situation, wreck some havoc, and then heap it on the visitor.
“The general public should therefore note that what happened in Izombe on the 6th and 7th of August were purely the handiwork of Ebubeagu, their agents, and other forces loyal to the government at the State. The arrests made were to cover up their failed wicked plots. None of those arrested has any record of criminality. Those whose houses, shops, vehicles, and other property were set ablaze are just victims of circumstance.
He blamed politicians loyal to Hope Uzodimma for stoking crisis in the community.
“You cannot use intimidation to coerce anybody into supporting your aspiration, just because you think it is your right for them to support you. It does not work that way, and will never work”.
