IPOB: Police raid Delta community, arrest five natives

Austin Eureka, Asaba

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command on Wednesday conducted a raid in a community located within the Agbor Local Government Area of Delta State, resulting in the arrest of five indigenes in connection with the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed faction, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

According to a statement made available to journalists, those arrested are allegedly providing cover for the wanted IPOB members.

The statement recalled that the police had earlier declared 10 villagers wanted over the IPOB activities but they had refused to turn themselves in to the police.

They include: Andrew Amachreee, Christian Obi, Paul Enebeli, Felix Chika, Kenneth Omonigho, Japhet Kindness, among others.

The wanted suspects, said to be spies for the ESN, were declared wanted after a clash involving their Agbor community and Fulani herdsmen.

In the latest raid, the police arrested relatives of the suspects, accusing them of shielding the suspects.

Among those arrested is Mr Monday a brother to Felix Chika, who had earlier cried out that the police were hunting down his brother.

Felix’s brother said they earlier lost their family house in 2014 in the hands of Fulani herdsmen who invaded the community and set their house ablaze killing his two siblings late at night.

He described his brother, Felix as “a fearless indigenous peoples’ rights activist who has dedicated his life to fighting against the atrocities committed by Fulani herdsmen.”

“These heinous crimes include brutal killings, destruction of crops, rape of young girls and women, and burning of homes and farmlands, rampant in their communities

“In January 2016, Felix courageously led a peaceful protest against the Fulani herdsmen’s oppression, but was met with brutal force.

“The authorities have been threatening him for daring to speak out against the Fulani herdsmen’s reprehensible actions,” he stated, adding that the police instead of going after the killer herders were now targeting those defending their communities.

While going down memory lane, Felix’s brother revealed that we lost our family house and two siblings to the activities of Fulani herdsmen in 2014.

“I was in Lagos then; he was with my other siblings in the house with my parents, and till date, our parents have not recovered from the shock.

“This is why he continued to fight for justice and peace, refusing to be silenced by the Fulani’s herders’ brutal attempts to suppress his voice.

“In 2016, the Fulani herders returned again, prompting my brother to invite the ESN; this is why the police are after him.”

“The only crime my brother committed is defending our community and speaking out against injustice.

“We are calling on all human rights activists and men of conscience and goodwill to come to our aid and ensure that my brother and other people with him are not arrested and killed for no just cause,” he pleaded.

On his arrest by the police, he described it unlawful and unnecessary intimination of hapless natives.

“I came down from Lagos just a few days ago for an event, I was planning to go back on Tuesday, but on Monday night, they stormed our house in a gestapo manner and arrested me.

“Four other villagers were also arrested. They said I’m hiding Felix, but the truth is that Felix, my brother is not with me.

“They released me after I was severaly beaten and brutalized for three days without food.

“The officers vowed that they won’t rest until they get Felix and his members.

“I have continued to tell them that to the best of my knowledge, my brother Felix is not a member of ESN or IPOB, they should leave my family alone,” he cried out.

Meanwhile, in the statement released by the police, it accused the commumity of harbouring IPOB members and vowed not to back down until the identified members are arrested and prosecuted.