We have credible evidence of politician sponsors of Imo Attack – Gov. Uzodimma

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Contrary to claims by the Nigerian Police Force that Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) were behind the recent attack in Imo State, Gov. Hope Uxodimma has said the state has credible evidence of politicians behind the attacks.

Responding to questions during Channels television programme, Uzodimma revealed that the Monday attacks on police headquarters and a correctional facility in the state was handiwork of some aggrieved politicians in the state.

The politicians he said were determined to make sure his government and that of President Muhammadu Buhari fail.

He said the state government is not unaware that there are aggrieved IPOB members, but they are not the ones perpetuating the mayhem, it was rather from mercenaries hired from outside the state.by such politicians.

Last Monday, April 5, gunmen took over Owerri, rained havoc at the heart of the state, attacked Owerri Federal Correctional facility and freed inmates of the home, and also burnt down the state police command headquarters and many vehicles.

The police according to the outgone Inspector General of Police(IGP) Mohammed Adamu accused members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) as masterminds of the attacks, which the IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu has denied culpability.

To corroborate the position of IPOB, Uzodimma said the hired hoodlums from outside the state who came and carried out the attacks only disguised as IPOB members.

“What happened in Imo state last Monday is unbelievable. A group of hoodlums, of course sponsored by some known politicians in Imo state, decided to destroy public infrastructure and government facilities and attacked a correctional centre facility and also attacked a police state headquarters.

“But what is important to take home is for Nigerians to know of the plot by a group of aggrieved politicians to destabilise the government of APC.

“I have done some thorough investigation and I have a credible lead as to those who are sponsoring these activities of these hoodlums.

“We are working hard to ensure that the sponsors of these dastardly acts must be brought to book,” he said.

Hope further stated: “They (politicians) try to identify grievances of people in a particular area. They hire hoodlums from outside Imo state. They bring them in pretending to be IPOB and they commit this crime and they go away.

“It is not about IPOB. Yes, we agree, we have aggrieved IPOB members. But I can tell you, those who are doing these destructions, most of them were brought from outside Imo state.

“I don’t want to pr-empt the investigations of other security agencies, but I can tell you we are working hard to ensure the sponsors are brought to book..” The governor insisted