There was pandemonium in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, as policemen hit the streets in protest over their ejection from their quarters in the state.

The policemen from the Counter Terrorism Unit of the Imo State Police Command, demonstrating for the second day in a row, caused traffic gridlock and panic in the city on Saturday, as they shot sporadically into the air, while they blocked the Owerri/Orlu road in the state capital in protest.

Most of the demonstrators wore masks to hide their identities, while they set bonfires on the high way.

One of the policemen, speaking to the press said, “We have been pushed out of our quarters on Orlu road by the management of Federal Medical Center, Owerri.

“To make things worst, our commander supported the act and no alternative place has been provided for us.”

“We moved into this place in 2015 after our quarters in Nekede was marked for renovation. But this base 7 of CTU of Nigeria police Force started operation in this state in 2011.”

“We have done more than enough to ensure safety and security in this state. This is not the best way to treat us considering the kind of work we are doing in this state.”

“As we demonstrate, our families are stranded. Bulldozers are destroying the quarters. Our property, documents, credentials and other personal belonging are outside.”

“We demand better treatment. We are human beings working for the betterment of this country. We should be treated like human beings, not like animals.”

However, the police authorities in its reaction said alternative quarters have been provided for the protesting policemen, disclosing that the state commissioner of police, Dasuki Galadanchi, had instructed the CTU commander to ensure the officers settle in the new quarters as quickly as possible, stating that the quarters were they were ejected from was not supposed to be their permanent quarters. (Tribune Online)

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