Following the attack by hoodlums at the Imo State Police Command Headquarters, the Inspector General of Police, M.A. Adamu has ordered for the immediate deployment of security reinforcements to the state.
The order which was revealed to the public on the Police Force’s official Twitter page was said to be in an attempt to strengthen security in the state and to prevent further attacks on security agencies or other state infrastructure.
Investigations carried out on the incident revealed that an array of weapons inclusive of General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) were used in the attack by the suspects.
The Police also revealed based on their investigation that the perpetrators were part of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
As stated in the tweet on the official Twitter page by the Police Force’s Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, the attackers were said to have tried to access the armoury of the headquarters were denied by officers on duty who repelled the attack.
He said, “The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking-in and looting the armoury. The armoury is thus intact!
He also stated that they were no casualties of the attack save for an officer who had sustained a minor bullet wound on the shoulder.
Mba further stated that a vehicle has been recovered from the suspects and was currently undergoing forensic tests.
He added that the IGP condemning the attack had directed the state’s commissioner of Police and a new Special Investigation team to ensure the arrest and capture of the perpetrators and also urged for the full engagement of all citizens and leaders to support in the fight against crime.
“The IGP, who condemned the attack on the security outfits, has further directed the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command and a new Special Investigation Team (specifically set up to deal with cases of incessant attacks on security formation/operatives in the region), to carry out holistic investigations into the incident with a view to fishing out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
“The CP is to harness the security reinforcement squads and other operational assets at his disposal to take the battle to the doorsteps of the attackers and prevent any further attack anywhere within the State and its environs.
“The IGP, who described the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of our nation, has enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality.
“The IGP calls on citizens to avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals.
“He vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book,noting that 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.” he said.
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