Police kill suspected IPOB zonal commander, two others in Imo
IWC faults Buhari over group’s alleged stockpiling of arms
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command, at the weekend, killed the suspected commander of Orlu Zone of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), identified as Chidera Nnabuihe, and two others.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Michael Abattam, who confirmed this yesterday, said their killing followed information received at the command, after which the operatives mobilised and attacked their base.
He said the suspects engaged the police in a gun duel before they were neutralised and recovered improvised devices, arms, and charms, among others.
“Sequel to the ongoing clearance operation embarked by the Imo State Police Command on raiding major IPOB/ESN camps in the state and its environs aimed at wiping out the remnants of the proscribed IPOB/ESN members and restoring peace.
“We received technical intelligence that members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN were sighted in an isolated uncompleted building at Amaifeke in Orlu Council of the state, planning to resume terror attacks on police formations and government installations,” he said.
Abattam said the arrested were being interrogated and had made useful statements that would help the police arrest other members of the group and including those that escaped with bullet wounds.
He said the Imo the Commissioner of Police (CP), Rabiu Hussaini, commended the officers for the operation.
MEANWHILE, the World Igbo Congress (IWC) has faulted comments credited to President Muhammadu Buhari, in which he claimed that IPOB was stockpiling weapons in the country.
Citing a publication titled: Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB Has Stockpiled Weapons In Nigeria, Killing Police, Military –Buhari, the group alerted the indigenous peoples of the Middle Belt, South-South, Southwest, and the Southeast to the danger of the president’s comment.
“We see it as a continuation of the strategy to label IPOB and use it as an excuse for the murderous activities being carried out on Igbo people and other target areas.
“The Fulani had used the same strategy to enslave the Hausa and take over their lands in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, and Gombe states,” the group said.
It further condemned the statement, which, it said had no factual basis adding: “It is hard to believe that the Fulani-controlled security authorities cannot specifically target locations of such stockpiles for public proof and exposure.
“We, therefore, call on all leaders of the Middle Belt, Southeast, South-South, and the Southwest to wake up to the unfolding threat to their existence. We specifically call on the leaders of the southeast to stop their ill-intentioned frolicking with the purveyors of death, destruction, and subjugation.”
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.