The Police Command in Anambra says it has arrested 34 suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in connection with the killing of a police Inspector in Nnewi on Friday.
Spokesman for the command, SP Haruna Mohammed , disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
He also disclosed that some personnel and a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, were also wounded while a police patrol van was set ablaze.
According to the statement, 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 environs to ensure peace is maintained in the area.
Explaining what transpired between the police and IPOB members on Friday, the police spokesman said, “on Nov. 23 at about 11: 55 am, 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.
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“Following the report, the police patrol teams led by the Area Commander, Nnewi, ACP Nnanna Ama, mobilized to the scene to disperse and prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order.
“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.
“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.
He said that 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.
Haruna said that efforts were on to arrest other fleeing members of the group and bring them to justice.
The police spokesman urged members of the public to go about their lawful businesses and reminded them that IPOB remains a proscribed organisation and its’ activities illegal.”
