Economic and official activities quickly halted on Wednesday morning when suspected IPOB members invaded Owerri, the capital of Imo state and its environs.
Unchallenged, the terrorists rented gunshots in parts of Owerri like the Imo State University junction in Owerri, Akwakuma, Amakohia, Ikenegbu, Douglas Road, Okigwe Road, Mbari street, Aba Road, Item street, Nekede, Wethewral Road.
The chaotic development caused banks, markets, shops and other business outlets to shutdown.
Motorists abandoned their vehicles on the roads, others made emergency U-turn while pedestrians ran for their lives as the gunshots continued to dominate the air space.
Residents in Owerri who spoke to our reporter on the condition of anonymity, expressed fear of going to their lawful businesses on Thursday after the terrorists operated without hindrance on Wednesday.
While no death had been reported in the Wednesday incident, three persons lost their lives and one person kidnapped when some gunmen attacked Orji, Akabo and Nworieubu communities, respectively on Tuesday.
Six persons which included policemen and a civilian lost their lives too when some dare devil gun- runners struck at Irette community which is situated on the Owerri – Onitsha Road on Monday.
Also on Monday, one person was shot dead and a vehicle razed when some gunmen attacked Umuelemai junction at Isiala Mbano LGA of the state.
Reacting, the spokesperson for the Police in the state, Henry Okoye, said that all hands must be on deck to arrest the situation.
He disclosed that the state commissioner of police, Aboki Danjuma, had ordered for the arrest of the suspects.
Okoye said “The Commissioner of Police has personally led men to the scene. The Command is on-top of the Situation. We will get the miscreants responsible for the senseless attacks either dead or alive.”
