Soldiers deploy APC in Okorocha’s office

There was tension in Imo State yesterday when hundreds of women mobilised by Minister of State for Education Prof. Viola Onwuliri attempted to breach the Government House security during a protest against Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration.
Soldiers allegedly invited by the Minister also heightened the apprehension when they brought and positioned their Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) at the entrance of the Government House and allegedly assaulted Okorocha’s supporters, who opposed the women protesters.
The governor and the junior minister have been at logger heads.
The women, who were said to be widows, gathered  as early as 6.30 am on Okigwe Road, chanting anti-Okorocha slogans. They marched on the Government House, bearing a mock coffin. They were dispersed by security men attached to the Government House.
Thereafter, a detachment of soldiers from the 34 Artillery Brigade stormed the Government House and descended on officials identified by the protesting women.
The governor who arrived at the scene in the peak of the commotion, accused leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state led by the minister, of hiring thugs dressed in women attires from neighboring Abia State to “burn down” the Government House.
Okorocha, who was escorted to the venue by thousands of women and youths, noted that the soldiers invited by Mrs. Onwuliri beat up innocent people and created tension among the staff of the Government House.
He said: “Onwuliri claimed to have the support of President Goodluck Jonathan to seal off the Government House, so she invited soldiers to beat up innocent people and this will not be accepted. Her mission was to set the Government House ablaze, using soldiers to perpetrate the crime.”
The governor, who pleaded with his supporters to remain calm, insisted that the protesters were not indigenes of the state but were mobilised from Abia State to cause chaos in Imo State.
He urged the President to call the minister and PDP leaders to order to avoid the wrath of the people on them.
“The Army should not allow itself to be used to truncate the nation’s democracy. If they try this again, they will see the wrath of Imo people,” Okorocha said.
The Commander of the 34 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. L.M. Bello, who said he was present at the scene, said soldiers were invited to disperse the crowd and restore peace. They did not assault anyone as claimed, he said.
Gen. Bello said the soldiers helped to disperse the crowd that posed a security threat around the Government House.

Noble Information

SOCIALIZE IT →

Tweet

FOLLOW US →

SHARE IT →