Calm and normalcy returned to Owerri on Sunday after the tension generated by Saturday’s attack on Gov. Hope Uzodinma’s country home in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the news of the attack and speculations about the masterminds sparked off panic among residents of the capital city and other parts of the state.
But the atmosphere on Sunday was peaceful as residents went about their activities, without the fear of any molestation or attack.
Churches, markets and some business centres were open, while commercial vehicle operators were on the road conveying commuters.
However, security reports indicate that human and vehicular movement within Omuma area was still restricted with security personnel keeping “water-tight” surveillance in the council area.
Meanwhile, some groups, church leaders and party chieftains have continued to react to the incident, saying the spate of insecurity in Imo and other states of the South-East was beginning to assume an alarming proportion.
Speaking in separate interviews with NAN on Sunday, they said the incident further heightened the fear about the growing insecurity in the state.
The Chairman of Imo Chapter of Pentecostal Association Worldwide, Rev. Clement Izuchukwu, described the attack as condemnable and an afront on the government.
Izuchukwu, therefore, charged the state and federal governments to spare no efforts to track down sponsors of the militia group that had continued to cause mayhem in the southseast.
He also urged the police and other security agencies to rise to the challenge, saying that the increasing insecurity in the zone, especially Imo, was becoming unbearable.
Also, a Civil Society Group, known as South-East Watch for Good Governance, decried the attack and killing of innocent security operatives attached to the house.
The Founder of the group, Mr Evans Anyawu, expressed deep sadness over the killing of innocent security guards by the attackers.
“We are very sad over the recent developments in the southeast states.
“The zone has been known for peace but some group of militiamen appear to have risen in the area, making it unsafe for all.
“This trend of insecurity will never be tolerated in the zone. We will all deploy our arsenal to fight it to a standstill,” he said.
Anyanwu feared that the attack might be politically motivated and aimed at distracting the governor.