Police begin show of force against MASSOB, IPOB ahead of May 30 Biafra Day celebration
- The Imo state commissioner of police, Chris Ezike, describes the sit-at-home order planned by IPOB, MASSOB and other pro-Biafra groups as unpatriotic and inciting
- The Imo state police command calls on residence of the state go about their lawful business and ignore what it described propaganda and directives from persons whose identity remains largely unknown.
- The command urges parents and guardians to restrain their children and wards from engaging in violent conduct
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed all state commissioners of police to place their states on red alert ahead of the planned sit-at-home order by pro-Biafa groups in the country.
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The Imo state, commissioner of police, Chris Ezike, in a statement by the state police public relations officer, Andrew Enwerem, described the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other pro-Biafra groups as unpatriotic and inciting.
According to Daily Post, the command said its attention has been drawn to publications by pro-Biafra groups directing Nigerians to sit at home on 30th May, 2017 in remembrance of the struggle for Biafra Independence.
The police describe the the sit-at-home order planned by pro-Biafra groups as unpatriotic and inciting.
It said: “These publications are not only inciting but represent an unpatriotic and hostile propaganda against the sovereignty of the Nigerian State.”
“The Inspector General of Police has already declared the publication and utterances illegal and deliberate attempt to disrupt public peace, safety and security.
“He has accordingly directed all State Commissioners of Police to place their States on red alert and ensure that these unpatriotic elements do not infringe on the rights of other persons and therefore cause a breakdown of law and order.
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“He further directed that security officials must be polite, civil, fair but firm in dealing with the situation.
“In consideration of these unfolding circumstances, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Chris O. Ezike acting in conjunction with heads of other security agencies wish to assure all citizens and residents of the State.”
The Imo state police command called residence of the state go about their lawful business and ignore what it described propaganda and directives from persons whose identity remains largely unknown.
The command urged parents and guardians to restrain their children and wards from engaging in violent conduct likely to bring them in confrontation with the law.
Meanwhile, the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that Nigeria Air Force jets are hovering around Umuahia, near the house Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the group.
The group also claimed that soldiers opened fire on its members in Aba, the Abia state capital during a procession in honour of those who died during the Biafra Civil war.
The pro-Biafra group in statement on Monday, May 29, by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said the soldiers carried out the shooting of its members in conjunction with other security forces, Daily Post reports.
In the NAIJ.com video below, a retired Major in the Nigerian Army, Ken Chioma Obi speaks on the agitation for Biafra.