Police Accuses IPOB Of Killing Two Imo Traditional Rulers

The Imo Police Command has accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of attacking 20 monarchs during a meeting on Tuesday.

Ezenwoko’s Blog had reported that some unknown gunmen killed two traditional rulers during an attack at the Nnenasa community in Njaba Local Government Area of the state.

The monarchs from the area were in a meeting with the council chairman, Hon. Emeka Ihenacho, at the council’s headquarters, when gunmen invaded the place.

But in a statement on Wednesday by the state Police spokesman, Michael Abattam, the Police Commissioner, Rabiu Hussaini, claimed that IPOB was responsible for the death of the two traditional rulers.

According to Hussaini, the Command received information on Tuesday around 3 pm that suspected IPOB members were attacking some traditional rulers in the Njaba area of the state.

He explained the Command’s tactical teams comprising of the Special Forces, Rapid Response Squad and anti-kidnapping Squad were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Unfortunately, he said before the arrival of the police, the suspected IPOB members had fled the scene after killing the two monarchs.

He, however, revealed that the local government chairman did not inform the police or other security agencies before holding a meeting with the monarchs.

He said: “While the meeting was in progress, armed bandits suspected to be IPOB/ ESN members came and started shooting at them indiscriminately after which they ran back into the bush.

“Unfortunately, two of the traditional rulers HRH Eze S. C Osunwa of Ihebinowere Autonomous Community and HRH Eze Barr A. E Durueburuo of Okwudor Autonomous Community lost their lives in the attack while HRH Eze A. N Onyeka (JP) of Nkume Autonomous Community sustained gunshot injuries.”

He noted that since the police station in the area was raised down by some hoodlums, the Command had only posted to the area vehicular patrol to help in checkmating crimes.

He added: “The police station in Njaba was recently attacked and raised down by hoodlums suspected to be IPOB/ ESN terror groups, where two police officers lost their lives.

“Thus, the command had to post Policemen to the area on vehicular patrols to help in checkmating crimes and criminalities. pending when a new police station will be rebuilt.

“The Command is exploring all avenues possible to see that the fleeing bandits are arrested and prosecuted.”