Imo People Monday at about 9 15am, Monday witnessed Pandemonium in most parts of the state following an alleged enforcement of the IPOB Sit at Home Order by suspected members of IPOB
This unexpected pandemonium led to stampede in some parts of the state including major streets and roads in Owerri the state capitaThis confusion over the alleged violation of the weekly sit-at-home order by IPOB, led to the sudden closure of schools, business premises and the popular market in the capital city known as “Eke Ukwu Owerri ” market
Also for fear of being attacked by the rumoured suspected members of the IPOB, Hotels and Banks quickly short their gates and stopped attending to customers
Expectedly vehicles, Okada riders and barrow pushers quickly disappeared from the roads and streets just as road side traders also took to their heels for safety.
However, people who came to the city of Owerri very early in the morning were seen trekking home as all commercial vehicles deserted the major roads and streets, leaving the people particularly those from the hinter land stranded
Our correspondent who monitored the situation reports that the security personnel were seen well positioned on the roads to checkmate any ugly development
Also, apart from the IPOB alleged connection, there were allegations by some people against the overzealous officials of the State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) over the confusion
According to this school of thought, the commission had embarked on aggressive demolition of some structures on the Onitsha road, World Bank, and Control Post areas of the city which did not go down well with owners of such demolished structures.
The fracas that ensued resulted in stampede which later spread to other parts of the city thereby provoking confusion and tension.
Ignorantly, since the incident took place on Monday usually observed as IPOB sit-at-home order, it was misconstrued by the larger populace that it was the handwork of IPOB over disregard to the order.
The commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba did not pick his calls for reaction but the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Michael Abatham blamed it on mere rumour and hallucination by those he said are intent to cause confusion in the state and who cry wolf where there is none.
He advised members of the public not to panic and to go about their normal business assuring that adequate security had been put in place to secure lives and properties.
