The police in Ebonyi State on Wednesday held a show of force in collaboration with the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the State Security Service (SSS).

The security personnel converged at the police headquarters in Abakaliki before heading out to different parts of the capital city.

The exercise came within the seven-day “sit-at-home’’ order issued by a faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which started on June 30.

Police spokesperson in Ebonyi, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, told journalists that the show of force was held to assure residents of the safety of their lives and properties.

“It is a routine event, and it is targeted at restoring the confidence of the people in the security agencies.

“We have gone around the town to assure the people that we are capable of protecting them. We visited some flash points and traffic points,’’ she said.

Ms Onovwakpoyeya urged Ebonyi residents to ignore the seven days “sit-at-home’’ orders by the faction of IPOB and advised them to go about their lawful business.

She added that the police had launched a manhunt to bring hoodlums who disrupted economic activities in Ebonyi on Tuesday to book.

“Residents should go about their lawful businesses; police operatives are after the hoodlums who have been causing trouble in different parts of the state,’’ she added.

(NAN)