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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has claimed that 21 of its members were killed in a violent clash with security operatives and 47 others arrested in Emene, Enugu State on Sunday.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has also alleged that two of its operatives were killed by members of the IPOB.
The claims were made by the IPOB and SSS in separate statements on Sunday.
The clash left residents of the neighborhood gripped with fear as armed police officers and soldiers were deployed to ensure normalcy returns to the area.
DSS: IPOB killed two of our operatives
Department of State Services in a statement by Peter Afunanya, its spokesperson, accused the IPOB of attacking its patrol team in Emene, leading to the death of two of its personnel.
Afunanya said, “The Service lost two personnel in what was clearly an unprovoked violent attack launched by IPOB on the team,” Mr Afunanya said.
The service expressed grief at the death of the operatives while condoling with their families.
According to the spokesperson, “However, all measures have been put in place to ensure that their killers and everyone involved in this dastardly act are promptly apprehended and brought to justice. Consequently, a full-scale investigation will be carried out with regard to the incident.
“Once again, the Service reaffirms its commitment to assiduously work with other security agencies to maintain public safety and order. It, therefore, urges law abiding citizens and residents to go about their normal businesses without fear.”
IPOB: “Security Operatives killed 21 IPOB members and arrested 47 for just no cause”
IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful in a communique claimed security operatives killed 21 of its members and arrested 47 others in the bloody clash.
African News Today could not verify the claims on casualty but a video obtained from an eye witness shows dead bodies who are claimed to be victims of the clash.
Powerful said, “The Nigerian government and her security agencies have once again exhibited another crude round of killing and massacre against the peaceful and unarmed IPOB family members in Enugu State”
“We are surprised how Nigerian security agencies in their respective formations like army, police and DSS will be slaughtering our people without any provocation.
“This rampant killing of innocent members of IPOB will be reciprocated in due cause. IPOB members have been slaughtered and arrested in their numbers across different locations in Enugu State today Sunday 23rd August 2020”
“We MUST warn and put the whole world on notice that Nigerian Government and her security operatives should stop killing our people because we are peaceful organisation with the mandate of restoring Biafra sovereignty within shortest period,”
The spokesperson went on to recount IPOB’s version of the cause of the clash.
Powerful stated security operatives invaded a building where IPOB members were holding a meeting, shooting sporadically.
“Today, the Nigerian security personnel stormed IPOB meeting ground in Enugu and started shooting sporadically which consumed lives of 21 members and 47 arrested for just no cause or provocation,” Mr Powerful said.
He added that bodies of killed IPOB members were taken away by the security personnel.
Powerful dismissed claims made by DSS that the group killed its operatives, stating that IPOB members are peaceful and unarmed.
“It is laughable for DSS to be claiming that they lost five personnel in the hands of unarmed and Peaceful people. It is clear to all that IPOB doesn’t indulge or carry arm or involve with any object. IPOB is a peaceful movement and we must remain so till Biafra is totally achieved”, he added.
“The security in the whole world must understand that keeping quiet and following the rule of law should not be construed as weakness on the part of IPOB.”
“IPOB is a well rooted movement committed fully on the pursuit for Biafra freedom and independence from Nigeria. We are not a violent group and there is nothing they can do to change our resolve to maintain peace and order in our land.
“The efforts of the Nigeria government and her partners in crime in trying to push IPOB to change their tactics will amount to vanity”.
“We are warning and asking Nigeria government and her security operatives to stop this atrocity immediately. Why have they refused to confront Fulani terrorists herdsmen, Boko Haram terrorists, Ansaru group, Fulani bandits, ISIS and other groups ravaging the country and busy killing innocent and unarmed citizens of IPOB?”
Mr Poweful said “those responsible for this barbaric killing in Enugu today must pay for their actions against IPOB at the appropriate time.”
This post was written by Obiajulu Joel Nwolu.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.
We need an explanation from government and DSS that given the imposed 1999 Constitution is a forgery… https://t.co/T7n5mLwfRN