THE Nigerian Army on Thursday began Operation Show of Force in Imo State.
It was gathered that the military exercise was an offshoot of Monday’s attacks on Owerri Correctional Centre, where 1,884 inmates were freed and the burning of Imo State Police Command headquarters by unknown gunmen.
The attackers, who operated between 1am and 3am, also attacked a military base at Ukwuorji along Owerri-Onitsha expressway, burnt a soldier in a car and also torched four military operational vehicles.
The military exercise was intended to boost the morale of security personnel and to restore the confidence of the people in the security agents, a source told our correspondent.
The source said, “The Operation Show of Force is a military exercise targeted at restoring the confidence of the people in the security agencies. It is also a way of raising the morale of the operatives after Monday’s deadly attacks. It is a reassurance that the security agents have the capacity and capability to enforce public order and decorum.”
Also, the Imo State Police Command on Thursday began the deployment of no fewer than 1,000 cops to strategic places and security facilities in the state.
The PUNCH learnt that the massive deployment followed the complete arrival of 13 Inspector General of Police Federal Tactical Squads and two Mobile Police Units in the state.
One of our correspondents discovered that with each unit made up of 63 operatives, the state police command had additional 945 cops to help it to curb the incessant attacks on security formations in the state.
In another development, the inspector, who was allegedly kidnapped when gunmen attacked Mbieri Divisional Police Headquarters on Thursday morning had been found, our correspondent gathered.
The state police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the development to The PUNCH, said the cop took cover during the attack.
Again, gunmen attack police station in Imo
Meanwhile, barely 48 hours after hoodlums attacked a police station in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, they (gunmen) have set ablaze another police station in Mbieri, Mbaitoli LGA of the state.
An eyewitness from the area disclosed that the gunmen arrived at the police division around 11.30 pm and commenced a shooting spree at the police officers on guard.
It was gathered that some detained suspects were released by the hoodlums and taken to unknown destination.
The state Police Public Relations officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident, but said the gunmen were repelled by the superior fire arms of the officers on the ground. (Punch)
