Imo State Police Commissioner (CP) Mohammed Ahmed Barde, yesterday, warned enforcers of the sit-at-home order in the state to desist forthwith as his men would not rest until they are arrested to face lawful persecutions.
The warning came just as a faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) declared a 14-day lockdown beginning from July 31.
Barde said the Command has arrested 53 suspected criminals, including a ritualist, kidnappers, members, armed robbery gang, child traffickers and a murder suspect.
Parading the suspects at the Command headquarters in Owerri, the Commissioner represented by the Command’s spokesman, Henry Okoye, reiterated the commitment of the Command to curb security concerns in the state.
He also warned parents and guardians to advise their children and wards to desist from involvement in crime and other activities that jeopardise efforts to guarantee security and peace in the state.
He said: “The various stakeholders of Imo State are encouraged to talk to their subjects as Imo Police Command will not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with any subversive criminal syndicate or individual caught enforcing the unlawful sit-at-home order or perpetrating any other form of criminality.
“Members of the public are encouraged to disregard the unlawfully imposed sit-at-home order by criminal syndicate whose stock in trade is to create panic and go about their lawful business without any form of fear or intimidation, while remaining vigilant and swiftly report any criminally minded elements seen enforcing the unlawful sit-at-home order or carrying out other nefarious activities to the nearest police station.”
He added: “Under the leadership of CP Barde, Imo State Police Command has continued to roll out workable administrative and operational strategies aimed at discharging the Constitutional mandate of the Force and providing a security atmosphere for socio-economic activities to thrive in the state.
“These strategies have proven to be effective as we parade a total of 53 suspects, largely males with just two females. These suspects were evidentially linked with various criminal cases ranging from conspiracy, armed robbery, murder, defilement, kidnapping, child trafficking, IPOB/ESN terrorism activities, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, receiving of stolen properties, car snatching and vandalisation of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) cables.”
Okoye further disclosed that the Command recovered 32 assault rifles made up of two AK47 rifles, 15 pump action guns, two cut-to-size locally made guns, 11 locally made pistols and two double barrel guns from the suspects.
Others are 100 rounds of live cartridges, 70 rounds of AK47 ammunition; five vehicles and seven motorcycles, while 15 abducted victims were rescued.
