Scores feared dead, others declared wanted as security agencies, IPOB clash

Joseph Udoh, Owerri

A clash between a combined team of security agencies and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has claimed several lives.

The development has intensified fears at Awomama in Imo State.

Highly placed security sources told our correspondent that the IPOB members were marching on the streets and major roads when they were stopped by security agencies.

He claimed that the pro-Biafra group confronted security agencies leading to casualty on both sides.

According to the security source, “the IPOB remains an outlawed organisation and they will be treated as such.

They violently attacked security agencies who went to arrest them for unlawful assembly.

“Six of their key leaders were arrested but they escaped; we will get them.

“They include: Mr Ejini Emmanuel Nnamdi, Mr Mezie Obiokoye, Mr Chima Nwafor, Mr Isaac Ray Obiajulu, Mr Christian Madubuko and Mr Emeka Silas.”

Meanwhile, the IPOB spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful dismissed claims that their members were engaged in unlawful assembly.

Powerful told our correspondent that, “the attack on our members who were holding their meeting on November 21, 2022 at Awomama in Imo State was unprovoked.

“We are calling on the Nigerian government to stop this senseless attack on our members. Self-determination is not a crime; it is guaranteed under local and international laws.

“We are demanding justice for tens of our people killed during the raid; these are breadwinners; their death will not be in vain,” Powerful vowed.

Meanwhile, the wife of one of the IPOB members declared wanted, Mrs. EJINI FRANCISCA CHIDUBEM, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, said her husband was not a criminal.

She further said that her husband, Ejini Emmanuel Nnamdi, has never been involved in any form of crime or criminality, stressing “he is only seeking Biafra just like other youths.

“I have not set my eyes on him ever since his friend told me that security men attacked them.

“They claimed that he escaped from custody on 26 November, 2022.

“Please, they should set my husband free; they declared him wanted but I don’t even know his whereabouts. I’m terribly heartbroken,” she cried.