The Abia State police command has alleged that an attack on its men by some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) resulted in the death of five members of the separatist group.

The claim is contained in a statement by the command’s PRO, Geoffrey Ogbonna, on behalf of the Police Commissioner, Mustapha Bala.

Five members of the group were shot dead in Osusu Aba on Friday as they were on a procession across Aba.

Some residents, with video evidence, said the group was protesting peacefully without disturbance.

Chinomso Aka, a witness, said the group was protesting the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu on Friday when the incident happened.

Mr Bala said, “On 31/03/2023 at about 11:45 a.m., policemen on confidence building patrol/show of force within Aba metropolis came under attack by proscribed IPOB/ESN members.

“They were armed with petrol bombs, machetes, battle axes and other dangerous weapons.

“The attack was repelled by the police operatives with minimal casualties while the majority of the hoodlums scampered for safety.

“However, normalcy has returned in the area”.

The command, therefore, warned any persons or groups intending to scuttle the relative peace enjoyed in the state to rethink such an idea.

It further said that the security operatives in the state would not fold their arms and watch disgruntled elements “mesmerise” the state.

(NAN)