Abia: IPOB first used guns to assault our men – Police

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) members, according to the Abia State Police Command, assaulted their troops with lethal weapons on Friday in Aba.

According to the Command, the assault happened while police officers were patrolling the commercial hub in a show of force.

Public Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, cautioned that security organisations would not permit the truncation of Abia State’s peace in a statement from the Commissioner of Police.

According to the statement, “Prohibited IPOB/ESN members attacked Policemen on confidence-building patrol/show of force within Aba metropolis on 31/3/2023 at around 1145h hours, equipped with patrol bombs, machetes, battle axes and other deadly weapons.”

“Police operatives repulsed the onslaught with few casualties, while the remainder of the hoodlums fled for safety.

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However, the region is back to normal.

Five IPOB members were reportedly slain by police forces during the Aba crisis on Friday as they organised a demonstration to call for the release of Leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Nevertheless, the Coalition of South East Young Leaders, COSEYL, an organisation headed by Hon. Goodluck Ibem, claimed that five members of IPOB were slain during a nonviolent demonstration.