The Anambra State police command has arrested 34 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB) that was proscribed by the Federal Government in connection with the killing of a police officer in Nnewi.
in a press statement on Saturday,the police spokesman of the command Haruna Mohammed who made this known said some personnel and a divisional police officer (DPO) were also wounded while a police patrol van was set ablaze.
He said anti-riot police mobile force ( PMF ), counter terrorism unit (CTU), federal special anti-robbery squad (FSARS), EOD and special anti-cult unit personnel and conventional police have been deployed to Nnewi and its environs.
The spokesman noted that the incident took place on Friday at about 11:55am. He said there was intelligence report that members of IPOB were gathering near the Teaching Hospital, Owerri Road, Nnewi with intent to cause a breach of public peace adding that following the report, the police patrol teams led by the area commander, Nnewi, Nnanna Ama, mobilised to the scene to disperse and prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order.
He explained that as soon as the team arrived, the IPOB members descended on them, set ablaze one patrol vehicle and attacked them with machetes and stones.“They marched towards the Agbaedo Market shouting “no elections without referendum’ he said.
“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.”
Mr. Haruna said the police joint team have commenced search operations for the recovery of two AK47 rifles and one Beretta Pistol with ammunition snatched from the slain police inspector and police officers adding that efforts were on to arrest other fleeing members of the group and bring them to justice.
