IPOB herbalist and 67 other members arrested in Imo

67 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) including their herbalist have been arrested at Mmahu Egbema in Imo state. 

Imo police spokesperson, Orlando Ikeokwu said members of the proscribed separatist group were arrested for unlawful gathering among other offences.

The arrested IPOB members had converged somewhere in Owerri North area of the State on August 9 before moving to Egbema, where they were said to be arrested at a checkpoint by soldiers who called the police for reinforncement. 

Ikeokwu alleged that the arrested members of the group were heading to the residence of one Cyprian Amadi in Abashieke, Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area said to be a herbalist, to fortify themselves against bullets.

The police spokesperson who accused the suspects of planning an attack on security agencies with the aim of snatching weapons, further alleged that the suspected herbalist had removed bullets from an IPOB member who sustained gunshot injuries in the past.

Ikeokwu said; 

“It is also noteworthy that the group attacked and snatched two rifles from police during a violent protest in 2018, of which the rifles were later recovered from a kidnap gang in a robbery operation.”