BY MAYOWA SAMUEL
The Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Michael Abattam, has denied reports that the house of the brother of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor was burnt down.
Abattam confirmed to The Point that only the house of the Ohanaeze leader, located in Awo-Omanma in the Oru East Local Government of Imo State was burnt down on Saturday, adding that the police have commenced investigation that will lead to the arrest of the culprits.
The police spokesman said, “The news of the burning of the house of the brother of Chief Obiozor is not true. The only house that was burnt was that of George of Ohaneze. There is no other house that was burnt but the matter is under investigation.”
On the safety of the residents in the area in case of an attempt by the unknown gunmen to repeat the havoc on other innocent residents in the area, Abattam assured that police reinforcements have been drafted to the area to avoid that from recurring.
“I was there in the village, the Commissioner of Police went there, we saw things for ourselves and we saw the people and nobody showed any sign of fear. But apart from that, the area is under Awo-Omanma, the DPO in the area has been fortified with more policemen who are making sure that such incidents don’t recur,” he noted.
On the unknown gunmen that attacked the Umuguma Police Headquarters Owerri West Council area of Imo State the same night Chief Obiozor’s house was razed, the police spokesman debunked reports that any police officer was killed.
He said, “On Saturday 3 o’ Clock, the same unknown gunmen went to attack a police station in Awo-Omanma. When they got there, they were stunned because they never expected what they met. Four of them were neutralised on the spot and five IEDs, that’s bombs, were recovered.
“We are on the trail of the ones that escaped with bullet wounds and as soon as we get them, we’ll bring them to book.
“There were no casualties on the side of the police, that’s why I said they were taken by surprise. They thought it was a field day, they didn’t know we had restrategised and put in a vigorous enforcement, Abattam stated.
Also confirming the attack on the house of the group’s leader to The Point, Spokesman of Ohanaeze, Alex Ogbonaiya, condemned the incident.
Ogbonaiya said, “I called Obiozor, he confirmed it, I called the Commissioner of Police in Imo, he confirmed it. I don’t think they were after people. I think they were aware that nobody was in Obiozor’s house.”
“We will release a press release but we want to take our time before we do that, where we will explain everything, all the press statements Obiozor has made in defence of the Ibos of all categories,” the group’s spokesman further noted.
