Police arrest 16 IPOB members with guns, bombs

The police have arrested 16 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra,, with guns and bombs.

The police in a statement on Sunday accused the arrested IPOB members of complicity in a series of violent and unprovoked attacks on security operatives and facilities in the South-East part of Nigeria and other states.

According to the police, the arrest was the outcome of a joint effort by the police, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Airforce, to nab persons responsible for the attacks on security personnel and wanton destruction of security facilities.

Among the suspects were Ugochukwu Samuel a.k.a Biggy, a 28-year-old from Arochukwu LGA in Abia State; Raphael Idang, 31-year-old native of Odukpani LGA of Cross River State.

Others were Cletus Nwachukwu Egole aka ‘Alewa’, 60-years-old native of Orlu in Imo State; Michael Uba, 33yrs from Imo State.

Twelve other suspects were not identified.

The police said that in the course of investigation, the suspects were implicated in multiple felonies committed across several states in the South-Eastern part of the Federation.

“The suspects were arrested in various parts of the country following sustained, and intelligence-driven sting operations”, said Police PRO, commissioner Frank Mba.

“Police investigations clearly established and linked the suspects to several incidents of attacks and murder of security personnel as well as stealing, unlawful possession of firearms, arson and malicious damage to operational assets of military and law enforcement agents.