Police prosecutes arrested IPOB members for Murder

The police have announced the arrest of at least 59 suspected members of IPOB, following its declaration as a terrorist group on Friday, 15^th September 2017.

The new police commissioner in Abia State, Anthony Ogbizi, said they arrested not less tha 59 suspected members of IPOB following the group's declaration as a terrorist group. He also said that the suspected members, recently arrested will be prosecuted for murder, arson and other related crimes.

Mr. Ogbizi disclosed this during a press briefing and parade of seven suspected members of IPOB at Ariaria police station in Aba.

He said following the proscription of IPOB by governors in the South-east and its declaration as a terrorist group by Nigerian Army, anybody found with Biafran materials would be arrested and prosecuted.

He said that they would be prosecuted under the anti-terrorism Act to ensure they were properly dealt with.

Mr. Ogbizi, echoing what the army had earlier said, stressed that IPOB by their action had shown itself to be a “terrorist group” which must be treated as one.

Prior to his above statement, he said that between September 10 and September 14, the Ariaria police station was attacked by suspected members of IPOB who destroyed everything at the station.

According to him, they came with petrol bombs which they used to gain entrance, destroy properties and took three pump action guns.

“Even some policemen were seriously injured. In fact as I am talking to you, one of the injured police officer is dead.

“Now we have lost a soul and you know what it takes to train a police officer. You know the vacuum that creates. It takes a minimum of one year to train a police officer”, he said.

Mr. Ogbizi said they also destroyed property of lawful citizens too adding that their demonstration was not peaceful.

He also alleged that the group attacked a nearby bank to get money to acquire more weapons.

The police boss said about 30 IPOB members were arrested when they attacked soldiers at Isiala Ngwa and about 29 were arrested in Umuahia.

He said that suspected IPOB members also attacked military officers and the residences of Commissioner of Police and AIG Zone 9 in Umuahia.

Mr. Ogbizi said that the army recovered several exhibits including the coat of arms of Biafra from the suspects.

He discarded the news circulating in the state that security agents arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s father. He said they are mere rumours.