IGP Asks IPOB Members To Disarm
Following the killing of some police officers by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on May 30 in some states in the South East, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has ordered the group to immediately disarm or risk arrest.
The directive, contained in a statement released on Tuesday by the Force Public Relation officer Olabisi Kolawole, said the Police has performed its statutory functions in the most professional and civil manner since the latest Biafra agitation resurfaced, but warned that with the current attacks on its personnel, the IPOB activists had crossed the line.
The IPOB, MASSOB, and some other pro-Biafra groups in the five Southeastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo had gathered on Monday to celebrate ‘Biafra Day’ in memory of Late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, but the events turned sour in Anambra state, as the army, police and pro-Biafra activists clashed, resulting in the death of over 30 persons including some policemen, while several of the protesters were arrested.
The statement said: “ Following the manifestation of the disposition of the armed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) activists to undertake premeditated attacks on Police officers engage in operations aimed at restoring public order in States in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zone of the country, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase has directed the Assistant Inspectors General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in the affected area to disarm members of the group operating firearms immediately.”
The Inspector-General also directed that any member of the IPOB found in possession of firearm be arrested and brought to justice, while all the activists arrested in connection with the killing of the Policemen should be charged with murder.
He however assured Nigerians that the Police Force will remain committed to their safety and security and will continue to work diligently towards eliminating any threat to internal security in the country.