Owerri – Soldiers have been deployed to beef up security and forestall possible breakdown of law and order in Owerri and other major cities of Imo.

The action followed rising tension over the delay by INEC in announcing the winner of Tuesday’s governorship election in the state.

The Assistant Director, Army public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, Lt. Col. Sagir Bala, confirmed the deployment  in Owerri on Friday.

He said the contingent arrived in Owerri at 5.00 a.m. on Friday.

Bala explained that the contingent,  led by the Chief of Staff of the Division, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Agbab, was to reinforce the military personnel already on ground from the 34 Brigade in Obinze, near Owerri.

He said the contingent embarked on a show of force on Friday to assure the public of its determination and readiness to safeguard lives and property and ensure peace and security.

He explained that the essence of the show of force was “to deter mischief makers” but assured  law-abiding citizens of the state that they had no reason to panic over the presence of the soldiers.

He added that the soldiers were deployed to safeguard government offices and installations, public buildings, banks and other strategic facilities in Owerri and other parts of the state.

The Commander of the 34 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Aaron Danpome, confirmed the deployment from Enugu but declined to give the number of personnel.

He said the deployment had substantially reinforced the security arrangement in the state, adding that “this will help us to meet up the security challenges.”

The INEC headquarters on Port Harcourt Road, Owerri has been cordoned off by stern-looking security operatives, forcing motorists to divert to other roads.

PDP and APGA supporters on Friday protested in Owerri, with either side claiming victory in the governorship election, held on Tuesday, but was declared inconclusive by the Collation Officer, Prof. Enoch Akobundu.

The APGA supporters urged the commission to declare the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Rochas Okorocha, the winner of the election.

On the other hand, PDP women from Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema local government areas  marched to the Government House, Owerri, calling on INEC to declare the result of the elections without further delay.

Spokespersons for the groups, Messrs Nkiruka Ihesie, Perpetual Ofili and Edith Anyiwo, warned some politicians in the state against inciting the youths and using them to cause political violence. (NAN)