…as Police say no life was lost in the encounter

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

Nnewi—More facts have emerged over the clash between the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, and the security operatives in Onitsha where three person were said to have lost their lives.

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Fegge Division of the Nigerian Police, Mr. Rabiu Garba told Vanguard that contrary to reports, no life was lost in the crisis but rather, it was a Naval personnel that sustained injury during the encounter.

He said the IPOB which is against the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra was actually heading to the Niger Bridge Head to lay an ambush for Chief Ralph Uwazuruike who was said to be coming through the Asaba Airport before they encountered the police men from Okpoko and Fegge Divisions.

“When they got to Upper Iweka, they were stopped by the police from Okpoko and later allowed to proceed to their destination because they were not violent but at Uga junction, they became aggressive and were said to have attacked the Naval officials and wounded one of them.

“We actually believed that they wanted to wait and attack Uwazurike because they were heading straight to the Niger Bridge Head. You know, they are against the MASSOB members and their leaders. Our men had to disperse them because leaving them at the Bridge there would have been more dangerous.”

The Fegge DPO said they are yet to hear from any family who lost their loved one in the alleged attack adding that if there is any death resulting from a clash as alleged, it is the police that would have removed the corpse.