By Ibe Pascal, Owerri
Imo Police Command has debunked reports of an alleged bomb explosion in the popular Izombe Central Market in Oguta Local Government Area, describing the reports as malicious and total falsehood .
A national newspaper had reported on Monday that scores were injured and vehicles burnt as a result of the bomb explosion which rocked the market.
Reacting, the Police Command in a statement on Tuesday by its spokesman CSP Michael Abattam said the Command “is miffed and views this publication as malicious, false, misleading and a calculated attempt to undermine the already improved security situation being enjoyed in the state.”
The statement reads in part, “The Command is miffed and view this publication as malicious, false, misleading and a calculated attempt to undermine the already improved security situation being enjoyed in the state and also to dampen the confidence the Command has achieved with the good people of the state since the arrival of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, few months ago.
“May I at this juncture, state the true facts surrounding the incident that actually occurred on 20/6/2022 in Izombe Central Market. It is on record that there was no bomb explosion in Izombe Central Market on 20/6/2022, and there was no record at the disposal of the Command that, the traders were in anytime warned by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or it militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) not to come out on Mondays for their businesses. Moreso, the community has always engaged in their market business without fear of molestation from anybody.
“However, preliminary investigation conducted by the Police Operatives on arrival at the market while responding to the distress on 20/6/2022 at about 1630hours, revealed that some overzealous miscreants came to the Izombe Central Market in Oguta LGA of Imo State, on a motorcycle, went to a stationed Bus where the conductor was canvassing for passengers traveling to Owerri and set it ablaze in the name of enforcing sit-at-home order in the Community and left almost immediately after the act. However, no life was lost and most of the people have left because it was the close of market.”
