The Police in Edo State have arrested some members of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) in separate locations in Benin City amid plans to join others in Onitsha,Anambra state in celebration of the fallen heroes of Biafra.
A statement made available to the Nigerian Observer stated that the arrested members of the group were planning to disrupt public peace on their celebrated heroes day, May 30th in Anambra State.
According to the statement signed by the police spokesman, DSP. Lawan Dirisu, the planned disruption by members of the group will see some members from all parts of the country join others in Anambra State in the disruption of public peace all in a bid to celebrate their fallen heroes of Biafra during the civil war.
The day according to members is set aside to honour their fallen heroes in the civil war between 1967 to 1970 during which the Ibo race of Eastern Nigeria reportedly lost over 5 million of its people in the war.
The Nigerian Observer was reliably informed that a member of IPOB in Imo State was the coordinator of the group in Edo state as it is said that he was in regular contact with his second in command who had been arrested amongst other members for alleged disruption of public peace in the state.
Meanwhile, reports from Anambra State says that the said coordinator of the group,Amaechi Nwabueze Valentine, a 33 years- old motor parts dealer from Isu community in Imo State and his supporters were awaiting others from Edo state to join them in Anambra State.
The reports further said that the members of the IPOB were firstly engaged by operatives of the Nigeria police and army who fired teargas, water canon to disperse the IPOB supporters as it is reported that mounting pressure from the group compelled the use of firearms, It is said that there are unconfirmed reports of casualties recorded as other supporters sustained varying degree of injuries during the standoff between security operatives and the IPOB supporters in Anambra state.
The reports also stated that IPOB supporters were violently resisted and repelled with force as the supporters chased away into different parts of the state.
Meanwhile, the police in Edo state have placed a ransom of I million naira on the IPOB coordinator, Amaechi Nwanbueze Valentine, responsible for recruiting its members in Edo state, urging members of the public with useful information that can lead to his arrest to come forward.
