Police arrest ‘nine IPOB members, recover stolen rifles’

The Delta state police command says it has arrested nine suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The command also said it recovered 13 stolen police service rifles from them.

Parading the suspects in Asaba, Hafiz Inuwa, the state commissioner of police, alleged that the men, who were arrested in April, were behind the numerous attacks on policemen in Asaba and its environs.

Inuwa said the command’s sustained investigation on the attacks and snatching of rifles yielded positive results.

He said the arrest of the suspects followed “discreet and diligent investigation” by detectives in the command.

“Following recent series of attacks on policemen and snatching of service rifles, we have recorded great success with the arrest of these criminal elements, “he said.

“These principal suspects with strong link to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were arrested and they have made confessional statements.

“On April 5, at about 8.15 p.m., while acting on a tip-off, police operatives swooped on Ugwunwosu camp of the IPOB members and recovered arms and ammunition snatched from policemen.

“Items recovered include ten AK-47 rifles with police service numbers and 10 magazines with 200 rounds of ammunition.

“Also, on April 24 one of the suspects, Christian Ndiogulu, led detectives to IPOB training camp in Ibusa, where another AK-47 rifle with 20 rounds of ammunition was recovered. ”

Inuwa said the rifle recovered in Ibusa was stolen by the suspects after an attack on a police safer highway patrol team on the Ogwashi-Kwale road on January 23.

He also disclosed that on April 29, two other suspects in the group led police detectives to Idumogi forest in Okpanam community where they buried “stolen police rifles”.

“The police recovered two AK-47 rifles, one smoke gun, one smoke canister, four AK-47 magazines, 212 rounds of ammunition, a set of Allen keys and a hand bag,” he added.