Biafra: 59 IPOB members to face trial for murder, arson

The Abia State Police Command has announced that at least 59 suspected members of the now outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have been arrested by security officials.

The new Abia State Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ogbizi, who made this disclosure, also said the suspected members of IPOB, recently arrested, will be prosecuted for murder, arson and other related crimes.

Ogbizi made this announcement 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 the Nigerian Army, anybody found with Biafra 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.

Ogbizi said, “IPOB by their action had shown itself to be a terrorist group, which must be dealt with as such. Between September 10 and September 14, 2017, the Ariaria police station was attacked by suspected members of IPOB, who destroyed everything in the station.

“Even some policemen were seriously injured. In fact, as I am talking to you, one of the injured police officer is dead. Doctors tried in vain to save his life.

“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.”

The police added that suspected IPOB members attacked military officers and the residences of Commissioner of Police and AIG Zone 9 in Umuahia.

“As I am talking to you now, information reaching me said they have started gathering at Nnamdi Kanu’s house”, he said.