Thirty-four members of the proscribed sectarian group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force for allegedly attacking police officers and killing one policeman in the process.
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The Police command in Anambra said the IPOB members were arrested principally for the murder of a police inspector in Nnewi as well as causing public unrest.
According to Police spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Haruna Mohamme who revealed the information in a statement on Saturday, the IPOB members attacked the police officers with stones and machetes, leaving one police inspector dead at the end of the melee.
Haruna added that the hoodlums also set a patrol van belonging to the police on fire as they attacked the officers and stole their weapons.
Excerpts from the statement read;
“There was intelligence report that members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were sighted gathering in their hundreds near Teaching Hospital, Owerri Road, Nnewi with intent to cause a breach of the Public Peace.
Following the report, Police Patrol teams led by the Area Commander, Nnewi ACP Nnanna Ama mobilised and rushed to the scene in order to disperse and prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order.
However, as soon as Police arrived the scene, the rampaging IPOB members descended on the Police, set ablaze one Patrol vehicle and attacked them with machetes and stones.”
According to the police spokesperson, the DPO, CPS, Nnewi Division, Babalola Adewunyi, Micheal Duru attached to Area Command, Nnewi and Inspector Akinbami Olaniyi attached to CPS Nnewi sustained machete cuts during the attack.
“The injured personnel were rushed to the hospital for medical attention; where the Inspector was certified dead by a medical doctor while the DPO and the ASP are presently receiving treatment,” he said further.
Haruna said the police had already arrested thirty-four suspects in connection with the incident while the police lost two AK 47 rifles and one Beretta Pistol loaded with ammunition in the process.
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