The Police Force in Ebonyi reaveal on Friday that it has arrested 15 people suspected of being engaged in the shooting by IPOB members on Tuesday in the new market and Ishieke axis of the state.
In order to comply with the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) order, which prohibited inhabitants from leaving their houses for seven days from July 3 to July 10, the suspects used force to carry out the shooting.
Two herbalists, Okwudili Otozi and Nnenna Ali, were among the 15 suspects who were apprehended from their hiding places, according to the state’s commissioner of police, Mr. Faleye Olayele, who spoke to reporters in Abakaliki.
“They have attacked our area commander and burnt our vehicle. They have been terrorizing the state. On July 4, they came to Ishieke firing sporadically and that was on Tuesday.
“I want to tell you that 15 of them have been apprehended, together with their herbalists. We recovered arms and charms of different kinds.
Olayele said that the suspects were preparing for another attack on Friday when they were arrested by the police.
“This shows that our officers are dedicated to their duties; the arrest was made possible by our men through the information we got,” he said, and warned all criminal elements to steer clear of Ebonyi.
However, one of the herbalists told newsmen that he was forced to join the gang.
“I did not know that they wanted to operate in Ebonyi; they came to me and requested for medicine and I gave it to them, after which they forced me to join them to the bush for further preparations.
“Please, I was forced to follow them after I gave them the medicine,” Otozi claimed.
(NAN)