Police arrest three ‘IPOB members’ in Cross River, recover explosives

The police command in Cross River says it has arrested three suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Sule Balarabe, the state police commissioner, said this on Monday during a parade of suspects arrested by the command between August and November.

The police commissioner gave the names of the suspected IPOB members as Richard Ukehad, 29; Esther Asado, 29; and Isaac Ebebe, 44.

He said the suspects were arrested at their camp in Bebe III community in Obanliku LGA of the state following an intelligence report.

“On the strength of the information, the military, in collaboration with anti-cultism/kidnapping squad, swung into action and the three were arrested,” Balarabe said.

Balarabe said “two dane guns, a Biafra uniform, a Biafra flag, an axe, knife, four explosive devices, two suspected explosive chemicals, charms, a police beret and live cartridge” were recovered at their camp.

Balarabe said the suspects would be charged to court once investigation is completed on the matter.

The police commissioner further said two other persons were arrested for unlawful possession of firearms, while another suspect is in custody for armed robbery and kidnapping.

He said the two AK-47 rifles and 200 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition were recovered by the command.

While promising to rid the state of crime and criminality during and after the yuletide, the police commissioner warned politicians any act that will compromise peace in Cross River.

“The command therefore warns all political parties, their candidates and supporters, to play by the rules and abide by all the laws guiding election process in the country, as infractions would not be tolerated,” he said.