The Abia State Police Commissioner, Anthony Ogbizi has disclosed that some Improvised Explosives Device, IEDs, and petrol bombs were recovered from the Umuahia residence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Ogbizi made the disclosure while briefing the visiting Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Operations, Force Headquarters, Taiwo Lakanu, in Umuahia, the state capital.
The Commissioner also highlighted some of the crimes alleged to have been committed by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) during the recent riots that took place in the state.
According to Ogbizi, “They were armed with petrol bomb. They burnt police vehicles and carted away three pump actions and other police materials. Some officers were injured and in fact as I’m talking to you, one of the injured police officer, an ASP is dead.
“The doctors tried their best to save him, but they couldn’t. Now, we have lost a soul. And you know what it takes to train a police officer. And you know the vacuum created. Once a police officer is gone, it takes a minimum of one year to train another.
“Simultaneously, they carried other attacks on law abiding citizens of this nation. You could see along the road the destruction of vehicles belonging to citizens. Certainly you cannot say that that is a peaceful demonstration. I think this attack was orchestrated to get arms which they succeeded in doing. Thank God the police succeeded in securing other arms. They attacked a bank may be with the intention to get more money to buy arms.”
The Commissioner stated that Kanu’s house was the attack base for most of the mayhem unleashed by IPOB members on Abia state.
He said, “And the house of the self acclaimed leader of IPOB, Kanu was the house they usually come out from to carry out these attacks and information reaching us is that they have started gathering there. Many exhibits were recovered from there like petrol bomb and coat of arm of Biafra.
“I know that 90% of Abians are not in support of this, but a few hoodlums and some others from other states operating under the disguise of IPOB with the motive to cripple the economy of Abia. If this is not planned, how could they come in droves to carry out these attacks?
“At a time, a mobile patrol vehicle was moving and IPOB members poured petrol on the van with intent to burn it. Imagine if that was successful. I’m glad that eastern governors have proscribed the organisation.”
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