Day gunshots, bullets rained like water in Imo

…Business activities disrupted in Owerri, environs

…Business can’t thrive under insecurity – OCCIMA

…Police say ‘the battle is for all’

Business activities in Owerri Municipality and environs were brought to a halt as gunshots and bullets rained like water last Wednesday.

The gunshots, which were heard in most of the strategic places, were suspected to have come from some criminal elements in their efforts to instill fear in the people and gain control of the city and the entire Imo State.

Wednesday, July 31, 2024, markets were empty and people who opened their shops early were forced by the gunshots and flying bullets to close and people scampered and ran helter-skelter to hide and save their precious lives.

Apart from the markets where there were heavy gunshots, other places affected include Imo State University’s back gate, Ikenegbu Layout, Wetheral Road, Amawusa, Aladinma, Alaba along Aba Road, Douglas Road, West End, Orji and Concorde axis.

An eye witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that he was around the vicinity of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) at Okigwe Road, Owerri, close to the Government House in the early hours.

“The inmates were jubilating on hearing the sounds of gunshots, maybe, the hoodlums could have succeeded to release the inmates if not the presence of the Army and Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) that was stationed there and other armed trucks,” he said.

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With regards to the disruption of business hours, coupled with the fear that has gripped the residents of Owerri and its environs, Anthony Amadi, a lawyer and the president of the Owerri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OCCIMA), in a telephone interview, said that with what is happening, business would be difficult to thrive, and that government should create conducive environment for investors to come into the state.

“The fact is that business cannot thrive under insecurity, so whatever disrupts security disrupts business. We are not happy about the security situation. So, we call on government to take all necessary measures or actions to guarantee that the business life of the people is not disrupted. So, in every circumstance, the high premium should be placed on human lives.

“They should protect people and property for business to thrive, and this is what we have been trying to make people feel relaxed and come into the state and do business. We will continue to support government,” OCCIMA boss said.

Meanwhile, a voice message sent to journalists in the state via the Police/Media Platform by Henry Okoye, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), he said: “Good morning gentlemen of the press. I can understand that you are all apprehensive but I want to assure you that the command is not folding its arms. We have deployed our men massively. In fact, the Commissioner of Police has personally led operation and we have made concerted effort in synergy with other security agencies to make sure that we as a matter of urgency, restore normalcy in this state.

“I am assuring the good people of Imo State that we will make sure that the hoodlums responsible for this senseless act of violence will all be arrested whether dead or alive. We are not relenting; we are making efforts.

“I am calling in all journalists, please and please, let us encourage Imolites to report any suspicious person or clandestine activity going on within their area to the police. The battle is not meant for the police alone, this battle is meant for all of us. And that is why we must come out now and support the police with credible Intelligence.”

The PPRO went further to say: “Those hoodlums have adopted a guerilla-like strategy, where they come out from their enclave and unleash a surprise attack and go back into hiding.

“It is not that they have overwhelmed the security agencies, no; they have not overwhelmed us in any way. The incident that happened at Ogbaku, was a surprise ambush attack.

“And I am telling Imolites that if they support us with credible information by reporting any suspicious activities going on within their area, we can collectively nip in the bud, the activities of these criminal gangs. And I am assuring you that we will deal with these criminal elements in such a way that they will never think of perpetrating this insecurity in this state again.”