From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
A person, suspected to be a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was yesterday feared dead when the group clashed with security agents in Ekwulowbia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
It was gathered that the group had clashed with security agencies when it wanted to use the Ekwulowbia Stadium for a meeting which was turned down by the local government authority which locked up the place.
This angered IPOB members, who allegedly broke the gate of one primary school, Central School, through which they forced themselves into the place. This reportedly attracted the presence of police and other security agents.
According to a source, it was in the process of trying to stop the group from converging on the school that they (IPOB) started hurling stones at security agents, blocked the road, causing tension and traffic jam.
The Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful, while reacting to the incident said one of its members was killed by security agents at the scene and condemned the activities of the agents against its members in recent time after its leader announced the boycott of Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 18, 2017.
“The order to shoot at innocent Biafrans in Ekwulobia today (Wednesday) August 16, 2017, came from Abuja because there is no justification for the barbaric savagery frequently exhibited by the army and police in Nigeria.”
“We are holding the DPO of Ekwulobia Police Station directly responsible for the murder of IPOB family member by men under his command. Also responsible are those faceless individuals hiding behind non-existent lawyers association in Anambra State,” Powerful alleged.
But, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Nkeiruka Nwode, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who confirmed the incident said nobody was killed and described the allegation as mere propaganda and baseless.
“The miscreants wanted to use the stadium for unknown meeting, but the local government authority refused them using Ekwulobia stadium, they went and broke the gate of one primary school called Central School near St. Paul Church, converged inside the school while others were outside and started disturbing motorists. The Police with other security agencies on joint patrol went to the scene, dispersed and cleared the road peacefully without any clash…”
“However, normalcy has been restored and people are advised go about their businesses without any threat or molestation. The police command has called on residents of Ekwulobia to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any molestation from any group or persons,”Nwode said.