Protest: Residents decry deployment of Police surveillance aircraft in Imo

As the EndBadGovernance protest enters the third day, residents of Imo State have condemned the deployment of aircraft to the state by Inspector General of Police, describing it as unnecessary and capable of worsening the tense situation in the state.
Confirming the deployment of the aircraft, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, ASP Henry Okoye, in a statement regarding the development, stated that the action is line with the IGP’s directive towards ensuring total security in the state, and enjoined members of the public not to panic.
“Kudos to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for deploying Police Helicopter on Surveillance-Air-Patrol in Imo,” the Police spokesman stated.
Some residents who spoke to our correspondent narrated that they panicked when they sighted the aircraft hovering over the state capital, Owerri, on Saturday.
One of the residents who gave his name as Obinna Nkemakolam, a commercial bus driver in the metropolis, said that the deployment of the aircraft was not necessary as Imo, like other states in the South-East, is not partaking in the nationwide protest.
He wondered why the Police chose to concentrate on the South-East region, leaving hostile areas like North-East and North-Central.
“Imo, likewise other states in the South-East, is peaceful. We are not participating in the protest to avoid being made the scape goat. I don’t know the essence of sending the aircraft. I’m happy that Ndigbo are now speaking with one voice,” he said.
A trader at Ekeonunwa Market, Mrs Emecheta Chikadibia, narrated that the sound of the aircraft caused panic in the market as people stood in apprehension watching as the helicopter hovered over the area.
Noting that the Police and the Civil Defense can control the situation in the state, the woman said, “Deployment of Aircraft is going the extra mile.”
A youth leader who just gave his name as Jasper, said that the major reason the South-East region don’t want to be identified with the ongoing protest is to avoid being singled out.
“We are not participating in the protest yet we are seeing heavily armed security men to the extent of sending aircraft when nothing is happening.
“Who knows what would have happened if we eventually participated in the protest?,” he asked.
In a similar development, full commercial activities have returned in the state as residents were seen attending to their businesses as markets and shops were fully operational.
Protest: Residents decry deployment of Police surveillance aircraft in Imo