Residents of Owerri, the Imo state capital were tensed yesterday morning when heavily armed policemen and armoured tanks took over strategic positions in the state including the premises of the Imo State House of Assembly.
At theAssumpta Road, otherwise known asBank Road, an armored vehicle with police escort was a surprise visitor on the road in the morning as anti – riot mobile policemen frightened road users with their posture. The same scenario was also witnessed at the Control Post Round about where an armoured tank was positioned facing theOnitsha– Road end of the roundabout.
The reason for the presence of the stern looking policemen and their armoured tanks at designated spots could not be ascertained, but unconfirmed sources indicated that it might not be unconnected to the threat by ex – militants of Oguta extraction warning that they would make Imo ungovernable if the winner of the House of Assembly bye – election for Oguta State Assembly seat Eugene Dibiagwu of the PDP was not sworn – in yesterday. The message sent to Trumpeta via e -mail was endorsed by one Jomo Kolo. Confirming police presence on the streets, the police public relations officer for the state, Vitalis Onugu said that about four armoured vehicles were rolled out as part of security measures to make Imo safe and habitable. Onugu disclosed that the security patrol is normal and not illegal.
