The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9, AIG Echeng Echeng, has charged personnel in Imo to neutralise IPOB/ESN elements enforcing the sit-at-home directive.

Mr Echeng gave the charge during a familiarisation tour of the Imo command in Owerri on Thursday.

The AIG said the police would apply a stringent approach to fight insurgency, terrorism and other criminal activities within the zone.

“I will continuously ensure that we take the fight to those who do not want peace.

“The economy of the state will not be affected by a group of miscreants who think they have control,” he stated.

Mr Echeng, who advised the residents to go about their normal businesses, reiterated the readiness of his men to sustain peace and provide adequate security for the people of Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states.

“We will continue to partner with other security agencies in the state to ensure that those planning to enforce the sit-at-home order are surely dealt with,” Mr Echeng noted.

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Barde, said the command had continued to battle IPOB/ESN to bring their activities to an end.

“The strategies adopted by the command have helped drastically to cut down violent crimes in the state to the barest minimum.

“I am delighted to inform you that the general security in the state has improved,” Mr Barde stated.

(NAN)