IPOB trade words with police over killings

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have unleashed words over the killing of over seven persons in Ndegu Orie Umuoguduakpu community in Ohaukwu Local Govt Area of Ebonyi State on Tuesday.

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, in a statement, point that herdsman carried out the attack with support of some security agents, the Police noted that the attack was carried out by  Agila people.

Armed herdsmen camped at neighbouring Agila community Ado LGA of Benue state, numbering about thirty five (35), some dressed in military uniform and supported by Nigerian security agents who were already present in Umuoguduakpu village harrassing people.

“These herdsmen in collaboration with the Nigerian Army invaded the community and killed 20 persons.

“They include Fidelia Ali 70yrs, Helen Ali(f) 55yrs, Ogayi Ali 45yrs, James Eze 58 yrs, Eke Ajah (f) 75yrs, Idenyi Agbo 45yrs, Elizabeth obele(f) 65yrs, Ogah Oge 35yrs, Ogba Eze(f)65 yrs.

But in a swift reaction, spokesman of the Police, Loveth Odah debunked IPOB’s and other allegations on social media.

She said: “The attention of the Ebonyi State Police Command has been drawn to pictures in circulation on various social media platform misleading the reading public that it is herdsmen attack in Ebonyi State.

“To set the record straight, the Ebonyi State Police Command wishes to State that pictures showing the killing of persons is as a result of renewed communal crisis between Agila Community in Ado L.G.A of Benue State and Umuogudu Akpo Ngbo Community in Ohaukwu L.G.A of Ebonyi State, an incident which is in itself most regrettable.”

Today 10th March, 2020, the Police Command swiftly mobilised to the area and discovered that one Fidelis Ali Omem ‘m’ 70yrs old, one Helen Ali ‘f’ 55yrs old and seven (7) others have been murdered while one Titus Ugadu ‘m’ 50ysr old was seriously wounded and admitted in the hospital, some houses and yam bans were set ablaze by the rampaging herdsmen”.

The Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State, CP. Awosola Awotinde, undertook a tour to the crisis areas where he admonished the people to remain calm and not to carry out any act that will further jeopardise the peace process already initiated by the Government, both at the State and Federal level.