Confusion over IPOB/soldiers in Rivers

Two persons are feared dead, and several others injured
following a clash yesterday between soldiers and members of the
Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Oyigbo Local Government
Area of Rivers State.

Although there are different versions to the story, a source
close to the area said trouble started when news broke at Oyigbo
express junction that soldiers allegedly ambushed and killed eight
IPOB members at 44 Battalion Asa, Abaia State.

The IPOB members were said to be on the way to Nnamdi Kanu’s
home in Umuahia to receive IPOB Deputy Leader Uche Mefor, who
reportedly arrived Umuahia from London.

The source said when they heard the rumour of the killing of
their members in Abia, they mobilized and began to protest.

Unconfirmed report had it that some IPOB members seized three
rifles from policemen and burnt a police van at the junction
(Oyigbo), forcing businesses and shop owners to lock up as
motorists and commuters ran for dear lives.

Spokesman of 6 Brigade Col. Aminu Iliyasu denied that soldiers
were deployed in Obigbo to stop IPOB members from going to Umuahia,
noting that they could only shoot if they were attacked.

Col. Iliyasu said:”I am in Bayelsa now, but people have been
calling, telling me that there is a situation in the Obigbo area.
But I don’t know exactly where this is happening. One thing is
certain, no soldier was deployed in Obigbo and asked to stop IPOB
members from travelling to Umuahia.”

Two persons are feared dead, and several others injured
following a clash yesterday between soldiers and members of the
Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Oyigbo Local Government
Area of Rivers State.

Although there are different versions to the story, a source
close to the area said trouble started when news broke at Oyigbo
express junction that soldiers allegedly ambushed and killed eight
IPOB members at 44 Battalion Asa, Abaia State.

The IPOB members were said to be on the way to Nnamdi Kanu’s
home in Umuahia to receive IPOB Deputy Leader Uche Mefor, who
reportedly arrived Umuahia from London.

The source said when they heard the rumour of the killing of
their members in Abia, they mobilized and began to protest.

Unconfirmed report had it that some IPOB members seized three
rifles from policemen and burnt a police van at the junction
(Oyigbo), forcing businesses and shop owners to lock up as
motorists and commuters ran for dear lives.

Spokesman of 6 Brigade Col. Aminu Iliyasu denied that soldiers
were deployed in Obigbo to stop IPOB members from going to Umuahia,
noting that they could only shoot if they were attacked.

Col. Iliyasu said:”I am in Bayelsa now, but people have been
calling, telling me that there is a situation in the Obigbo area.
But I don’t know exactly where this is happening. One thing is
certain, no soldier was deployed in Obigbo and asked to stop IPOB
members from travelling to Umuahia.”