Heads of security agencies in Abia State, infonet9ja.com has gathered vowed to clampdown on any group of persons and individuals who would want to foment troubles ahead of the sit-at-home orders of the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Anthony Ogbizi M. Ogbizi has called on youths in the state to avoid being used by any persons including members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to foment trouble in the state.
Recall that IPOB had last week issued a Press Statement urging residents of the southeast to sit-at-home on September 14 in honour of its members killed at Afaraukwu; the country home of its leader and sounder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu by soldiers.
Ogbizi made this call on the heels of September 14 sit-at-home order by the leadership of IPOB urging southeasterners and other sympathizers of the group to close shops, markets and other public facilities in honour of members of the group who died in the cause of their agitation for self determination at the country home of its leader and founder of Radio Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Sources from various security agencies in the state that pleaded anonymity told our reporter that heads of their agencies have met and have mapped out plans to quell any unrest that may likely come up in any part of the state. This is as the sources stated that the concern of the security agencies in the state was to ensure that lives and property of residents and visitors were protected especially as the state government was doing all it could to ensure that business and commercial activities in the state thrives unhindered.
According to the sources, while they were deploying good number of personnel in Aba, the commercial hub of the state and Umuahia, the capital, they have also made sure that there would be adequate security in other parts of the state where they mapped out as flash points, stressing that they would not fold their arms to watch few “selfish and unscrupulous” individuals under the guise of IPOB creating tension in the state even when they have been outlawed by the federal government and backed by Governors of the Southeastern states.
According to the sources, security personnel would be stationed at major markets in Aba and other places in the state on the said date and would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any person or group of individuals that would want to harass or intimidate innocent citizens.
Ogbizi in a text message sent to our reporter advised youths and every other person in the state to go about their duties while being law abiding and should not allow themselves to be used by unscrupulous people to foment trouble’
He said that the police was putting measures to ensure the safety of Abians.
One of the market leaders in Aba who would not want his name in print disclosed that they have been instructed by the powers that be in the state to ensure that the markets were open on the said date.
The market leader who feared about the safety of the people stated “you know that Onitsha and Aba are where IPOB members hold sway. Most traders are IPOB members, Last time we did all we could to convince them to open shop, but on their own, they closed shops. You cannot go to their houses to pull them to the market. It is their personal choice to come or not.
“For us, we are working for government and cannot disobey, but the fear is already there among the people and even customers over September 14 and no one would like to risk his or her life coming to the market on that day. People who usually come to Aba midweek to buy what they need are already in the market to beat the day.
Disclaimer: infonte9ja.com shall not be liable to Opinions, Articles or Features that doesn't emanate from any of its staff and management. We also wish to reiterate that such personal or sponsored opinion, article or feature does not reflect the views of the publishers of infonet9ja.com, but the writer's
For publication of your news content, articles, videos or any other news worthy materials, please send to infonetnews9ja@gmail.com | For Advert and other info, you can call 09061217047 or send a WhatsApp Message to 09061217047
“If you look around, you will notice that here is busy today, unlike what it is used to be like a day like this. People want to stay ahead of any eventuality. 14th is on Friday, which is a day many people from other places come to shop for weekend and the next day is Saturday. What if the day turn bloody, God forbid and the market was closed on Saturday? Like I said, we will do our part opening the market since the government has asked us to throw the gate open. But like it has been the case in Aba, I must tell you that personally, I will not be surprised if people decide to stay at home than coming to market.”
