At least 15 persons who allegedly attacked the convoy of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State while on his way to the 34 Attilary Brigade, Obinze, to inaugurate an officers mess have been arrested by the police.
Those arrested have been handed over to state Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
A group of people who claimed to be staff members of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) protesting non-payment of salaries had reportedly attacked the governor’s convoy with guns and machetes.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Isaac Akinmoyede said the suspects claimed they were ISOPADEC employees who were “owed three months’ salary”.
He said they were arrested with one locally-made pistol, two machetes, a mask, a chain and a padlock.
“They attacked the vehicles in the convoy with a locally made pistol and machetes,” he said, adding that no life was lost in the process.
“But in the process, windscreens of some of the vehicles in the convoy were smashed and the vehicles damaged,” he said.
The Police chief said the suspects have been handed over to state Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Responding to the development, Commissioner of Information and Strategy Declan Emelumba said the latest development had justified its claim that the protesters were sponsored.
He said the fact that they persons could arm themselves with guns and matchets validated the state’s position that most of the protests were politically-motivated.
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