The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Rabiu Hussain on Tuesday warned that the command would not hesitate to prosecute any group enforcing an illegal order under any guise, saying such persons would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He attributed the fake news that made rounds on Monday, as a ploy by detractors of the state to cause pandemonium with the aim to destabilize the already achieved peace being enjoyed by Imolites.
According to the press statement released in the early hours of Tuesday by the state police spokesman, Michael Abattam, “the Commissioner of Police is directing that any person(s) or group that comes out to enforce any illegal order that is not from a legitimate authority be resisted in its entirety by Imolites.”
The CP said,” Imolites will be supported by security agencies, as the Police Command is working in synergy with other security agencies to ensure that citizens’ rights are protected and peace is maintained in the state.”
The Commissioner of Police, while expressing confidence in the security measures already emplaced to checkmate crime and criminalities, advised Imolites to come out en masse and go about their lawful businesses without fear of harassment or molestation from anybody.
More so, he called on all and sundry to be wary of fake news, remain law-abiding, and be vigilant enough to report any suspicious activities seen within their neighbourhood, to the nearest Police Station or call the Command’s emergency number 08034773600, believing that together we will make Imo State safe and free from crimes.
Reacting to the strength of the fake news that caused a stampede in Owerri, the Commissioner of Police said himself in the company of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, immediately mobilized patrol teams and went out on confidence-building patrol of the metropolis and ordered the DPOs in their various divisions to replicate same.
“Fortunately, the metropolis was crime free and citizens were seen going about their legitimate businesses”, he averred.
