Following rumours of a possible declaration of a state of emergency in Imo State, some residents of Owerri have begun relocating their families to their villages and other states.
This is as shooting by gunmen continued on Thursday with residents saying the intensity of the shooting kept them awake throughout the night.
Hoodlums said to be sponsored by politicians were on the streets of Orji part of the state capital, brandishing assault rifles with no resistance from security agencies.
Rumours are however flying in the state capital that President Muhammadu Buhari is set to declare a state of emergency on the state which will be more effective on Owerri and its environs.
The rumours have also been compounded by Buhari’s genocidal threat on Tuesday, where he infamously said “we will treat them in the language they understand”
Hundreds of families who fear the catastrophic outcome of such declaration and don’t want to be caught up in it are currently relocating to their villages and out-of-state, Standard Observers can confirm.
Some said they no longer go to work or attend to their businesses over fears that they might be arrested by security agencies or killed by flying bullets.
They described the situation in Owerri as serious, adding that it is war-like.
Mr Simeon Mbaonu, a car dealer told Standard Observers that he had to close his showroom and relocate to his village.
He said this was for the safety of his business and those of his children who are young adults that make up the demographics constantly arrested by security agencies.
Speaking further, Mbaonu said that business in Owerri is currently dying and might force business owners to relocate to other places where the safety of their business is guaranteed.
A civil servant, Kelechi Esogwa said he had to relocate his family to his Ngo Okpala village as Owerri was no longer safe following rumours of a state of emergency.
He added that the street where he lived in Owerri has been deserted due to shooting and constant killings.
According to him, the constant shooting by hoodlums on the street, and the high-handedness of the security agencies have made living in Owerri very dangerous.
He said that despite that, they regularly run into the bush in the village over fears of a raid by security agencies.
Esogwa said that security agencies seem not to have the zeal to confront the hoodlums who come out on the street with guns but will later begin mass arrest of innocent young men women, adding that he fears for his children who are in their 20s.
But the Police Commissioner of State, Abutu Yaro, dismissed the claims, saying that peace has been restored in Orji and other parts of Owerri after Thursday’s shootout with hoodlums.
Mr Yaro said through the police spokesman, SP Bala Alkana that four hoodlums were fatally injured, but others fled during the gun battle.
He said the police were on the trail of those who escaped from the gun battle.
“Peace has been restored in Orji area by a combined team of the police and those of other supporting security agencies.
“Three persons were killed by the gunmen who blocked Orji Flyover and started shooting at people. Cause of the shooting is still not clear; investigation has however, commenced,’’ he stated.
He added that the hoodlums had killed three persons in the area before the police arrived at the scene.
Mr Alkana added that Special Forces intercepted the gang on the Orji Flyover riding in a blue Toyota Hilux van and a white bus.
He stated that the gun battle between the police and the hoodlums lasted for about 40 minutes before the latter bowed to superior firepower.
“The peace-loving people of Imo should continue to support the police with credible information on the movements and activities of criminal gangs in their neighbourhoods.
“Together we can continue to keep Imo safe,’’ the commissioner was quoted as saying.
