A clash between police and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday reportedly claimed three lives in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The Punch quoted a police source as saying on Tuesday that the IPOB members stormed the Okigwe Road and started destroying billboards of candidates of political parties.
A police detachment was deployed to rescue the situation, but the IPOB members allegedly attacked the operatives.
The source said, “The IPOB members stormed the street and started destroying billboards of candidates of political parties. Policemen quickly rushed to the scene, but on sighting the policemen, the IPOB members attacked them.
“In the ensuing battle, three members of the IPOB lost their lives, while two were rushed to the hospital. Four policemen were also shot and taken to the hospital.”
It was gathered that one AK-47 riffle belonging to one of the policemen was allegedly snatched by members of the separatist group.
Another police source was also quoted as saying that the Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the command, Victor Geoffery, later mobilised his men to the scene and arrested some of the IPOB members.
The source said, “The Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad mobilised his men to the scene and overpowered the IPOB members. As I speak to you, 20 of them are in our custody.
“We recovered many Biafra insignia from the suspects as exhibits. We will charge them to the court after investigation.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, said the suspects would be charged to court after investigation.
Members of the outlawed IPOB have been ordered by its leader Nnamdi Kanu to boycott the upcoming general elections. The group has gone ahead to fix its referendum on the date of the presidential and National Assembly elections.
