Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
Residents of Imo State today failed to turn out for the national protest against hardship and bad governance across the states in the country.
The freedom square which was the scheduled venue for the start of the protest was empty with no single person.
The streets and usually busy roads of the state capital were also deserted with insignificant vehicular and human movement.
Banks, markets, shops and business premises were also under lock and key as no one was seen doing business along the streets or stalls in the state capital.
The failed protest in the state could be traced to the overwhelming threats and fear emanating from sporadic gunshots and killings in the state in the last three days and the compulsory sit-at-home prescribed by non-state actors.
Meanwhile security operatives in the state including the Armed Forces, Police, DSS, Civil Defense, Road Safety, Immigration, and Fire Service were seen parading the major roads in Owerri in a motorcade in a show of assurance of the security of the residents of the state.
The Police Public Relations officer in the State, Mr Henry Okoye, said that the ‘confidence building patrol’ was in addition to the strategic deployment of tactical units who are mandated to clamp down on miscreants hibernating in the State.
He assured the residents of the state that the patrol was ‘relatively peaceful’ and assured them of the commands readiness to provide water tight security across the length and breadth of the state.
He therefore, called on resident to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation.
