Suspected IPOB members attack Igbo leaders in Enugu, 20 arrested

dimeji akinloye

February 27, 2018 9:38 PM

The Biafra agitators became violent when Igbo leaders announced that the late Nnamdi Azikiwe was to be given a posthumous award.

The Police on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, arrested about 20

Some suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were said to have protested at an event organised by a pan-Igbo group to honour some Igbo personalities.

According to Punch, the event had proceeded smoothly until one of the Igbo leaders spoke of the need to restructure Nigeria along regional lines.

The leader's statement reportedly angered the agitators. They interrupted the speaker, saying "It is Biafra or nothing else."

All efforts to calm the situation was said to be unsuccessful as the protesters became violent when it was announced that late Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe was to be given a posthumous award for his efforts towards sustaining the unity of the country.

They shouted in anger, blaming Azikiwe for the current travails of the Igbos in Nigeria, even as they insisted on secession.

The violence took another turn when the agitators stormed the high table and attacked some of the dignitaries

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It was reported that the Igbo leaders ran for their lives as the irate youths threw stones at the vehicles that conveyed them.

The spokesman for the Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu confirmed the arrest.

"No fewer than 11 were apprehended by the Police," Amaraizu was quoted as saying.

He said the suspects will be arraigned in court.

On Wednesday, September 21, 2017, the Federal High Court in Abuja gave judicial backing to the executive order of President Muhammadu Buhari, outlawing IPOB and its activities in every part of Nigeria.

The court declared that the activities of the group constituted an act of terrorism and illegality.

dimeji akinloye