Abia State Police Command has cleared the air on the recent face-off between its men and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Recall that five IPOB members were reportedly killed by the police in Aba when violent fight broke out between security agencies and members of the separatist group during a protest in the city to demand for release of Nnamdi Kanu.
Reacting to the development, the police in the south eastern state said that members of IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN) attacked their men in Aba, on Friday with dangerous weapons.
The Command said the attack took place while Policemen were on a show of force patrol in the commercial city.
In a statement by the Commissioner of Police, signed by Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna, Public Public Relations Officer, PPRO, warned that security agencies would not allow the truncating of peace of Abia State.
According to the statement, “On 31/3/2023 at about 1145h hours, Policemen on confidence building patrol/show of force within Aba metropolis came under attack by proscribed IPOB/ESN members armed with patrol bombs, machetes, battle axes and other dangerous weapons.”
“The attack was repelled by the Police operatives with minimal causalities while majority of the hoodlums scampered for safety.
However, normalcy has returned in the area”.
But a group, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, led by Hon Goodluck Ibem alleged that five IPOB members were killed during a peaceful protest.