Owerri Attacks: Osinbajo Visits Imo, Urges Residents To Reject Violent Groups

Following the attacks on Imo State Police headquarters and Owerri correctional prison by bandits, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has visited the state and appealed to the residents to reject violent groups.

Osinbajo who stated this on Tuesday during a one-day visit to Owerri condemned the attacks as an assault on the way of life of the good people of the state.

AllNews had on Monday reported that gunmen with sophisticated weapons attack the police headquarters in Owerri during which one police officer sustained a gunshot injury. The gunmen attacked the Owerri correctional facility where no fewer than 1500 inmates were freed.

On Tuesday, the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu had blamed attacks on the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) and its security arm, ESN.

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The IPOB, which wants an independent Biafra country from the Southeast states, has, however, denied carrying out the attacks.

In his speech in Owerri, where he commissioned a road project executed by the state government, Osinbajo said Nigerians must come together and reject the agents of anarchy seeking to cause chaos for their own selfish interests, especially as there are many more who are working tirelessly to build up the country’s system and to enhance it, according to Vice President Yemi.

The VP also visited Imo State Police Headquarters and the Owerri Correctional Centre, both of which were attacked in the early hours of Monday.

The vice president, who condemned the attacks as an assault on the way of life of the good people of the state, further noted that “our system is not perfect – no earthly system is – but democracy provides channels for seeking redress for injury, for peacefully addressing the problems that ail us.

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 “There are many who are working tirelessly to improve our system, to build it up and to enhance it. We must, therefore, reject the agents of anarchy that are seeking to weaponize the frustration and discontent of our young people for their own profit.

“The path of violence can only lead to a disaster that consumes everyone and leads to the desolation of our communities. It is easy to take peace for granted, but we need not learn the value of peace through the horrible crucible of war.”

Calling on Nigerians to reject groups that want to sow violence and destruction, the vice president, referring to those who may be behind the Monday attacks.

He said, “We must reject any attempt to portray these criminal elements as anything other than representatives of their own malice and hatred. They do not represent the good people of this state and this geopolitical zone.

“Anyone who perpetrates violence does not represent the progressive mindedness of the good people of this State and this zone. And I call on all of us to come together to resist any attempt to turn the progress and peace that this zone is set to experience to conflict and disruption.”

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Continuing, he said, “an attack on the critical institutions of law enforcement, police stations and prisons is an attack on the safety, security and well-being of the citizens. It is not merely an assault on law and order, it is a mindless attack on the people and our way of life.

“When you attack police stations and free dangerous criminals, you put men, women, children and their possessions and livelihoods at risk. Whatever the motives of the perpetrators, this action is egregious and atrocious in the extreme, and all men and women of goodwill must openly condemn this assault on the way of life of the good people of the state.”

Osinbajo assured the people of the state that “the security in this city and the State has, since yesterday, been further enhanced and we are set to strengthen security capacity even more here.”

The VP, however, affirmed that the search for the escaped inmates of the Correctional Centre has begun in earnest.

“I want to commend the Governor of the State for his calm, measured, but firm handling of the security situation in the state. The Federal Government stands with you and the great people of Imo State at this crucial time,” he added.

On the newly built road, the vice president said, “this aligns with Mr. President’s own belief that the building of roads, rail, power, digital technology and other infrastructural assets must be the first priority for economic development.”

He noted while congratulating the governor, that, “Africa’s largest economy can only provide opportunities for its huge population if it runs on modern infrastructure.”