TheCable

Abutu Yaro, commissioner of police in Imo, has cautioned residents of the state against being used to perpetrate violence on June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

Yaro, who spoke on Friday in Owerri, called on residents of the state to be cautious and not allow “enemies of peace” to destroy the relative calmness being enjoyed in the state under the guise of Democracy Day protest.

Yaro described the planned protest as a ploy to heat up the polity and worsen the security challenges confronting the state.

“Thanks to police intelligence, we have uncovered plans by members of IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN) to hijack civil protests on June 12,” he said.

“We advise Imo people to steer clear because some of those conveners have ulterior motives.

“We will not tolerate any attempt by hoodlums to destabilise the state, and anybody or group that insists on disrupting the fragile peace in the state will meet his/her waterloo.”

He urged residents of the state to support efforts by the police and other security agencies to restore peace and create an enabling environment for commercial and business activities to thrive.

“We call on Imo residents to join hands with us to fully restore the peaceful atmosphere for which the state is known, so that businesses can thrive again and normal life restored,’’ he said.