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Police explain arrest of 70-year-old IPOB leader, 14 others in Ebonyi
A 70-year-old leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Amasiri, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Rev. Ogbonna Nnachi, and 14 other members of the group have been arrested by the Nigerian Police.
The police said members of the group, which had since been proscribed by the federal government, were arrested over their plot to hold a two-day convention in the state.
The state police spokesperson, Loveth Odah, said the group members were arrested at their convention ground in Amasiri.
“The Ebonyi State police command in active collaboration with other security agencies in the state, while acting on credible intelligence report that IPOB/MASSOB/BIM members will have their 2019 convention in the state, on 13 and 14 August 2019, embarked on a massive ‘show of force’ covering the entire length and breadth of the state with particular focus on identified flashpoints.
“The exercise dominated the entire state and frustrated the activities of IPOB/MASSOB/BIM members thereby denying them the opportunity to hold their meeting in the pre-arranged venue.
“They were, however, traced to a hideout in the bush around Amasiri, Afikpo North L.G.A of the state where 15 members led by one Rev. Ogbonna Nnachi, ‘M’, about 70 years of age were arrested.
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“Items recovered from them include Biafra currency (two pounds), branded Biafra T-shirts, caps and bangles,” Odah said.
IPOB is a group from South East of Nigeria and one of the major other groups agitating for the independence of the people of that region from the rest of Nigeria.
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