Abia : Army, police, DSS, others on red alert over POB sit-at-home order
. Vow to apply rule of engagement against any suspected IPOB member
. As armoured tank breaks down near Kanu ‘s home during show of force
. No going back on our order – IPOB insists
. Schools ask pupils to stay at home
.
By Steve Oko
Security agencies in Abia State have been put on red alert ahead of the September 14 sit-at-home order by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra ( IPOB), Wawa News Global can authoritatively report.
This was confirmed today (September 12) by Heads of Security agencies in the state during a press briefing in Umuahia.
Personnel of the agencies comprising the Army, Navy, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) had earlier in the day embarked on what they called ‘show of force ‘.
LThe convoy of about 30 truck loads of heavily armed security operatives were involved in the exercise which took them round the state capital via major streets.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Anthony Ogbizi who addressed newsmen after the joint show of force said thier men would deal ruthlessly with anyone found breaching public peace.
The police boss was flanked by the Army Commander of the 14 Brigade Ohafia, Brigadier General, A K Ibrahim; a representative of the Commander of the Navy School of Logistics, Owerrinta; a representative of the Department of State Services ( DSS) as well as the NSCDC.
He warned IPOB members of disrupting public peace in any part of the state .
The CP warned that security agents in the state would not hesitate to enforce the rule of engagement.
The CP insisted that IPOB remained a proscribed terrorist organization which must be dealt with decisively.
According to him, the sit at home order amounted to a rebellion against the State, hence the preparedness of security agencies to resist them.
He also warned parents against allowing their children or wards to join IPOB which he said, remained an outlawed terrorist organisation.
“IPOB does not need to carry arms or be violent before it would be tagged a terrorist organisation, by throwing of improvised explosive devices, IEDs, which has destroyed our vehicles, shows them as a terrorist group”, Ogbizi said.
He also added that “somebody may not wear IPOB on the face but by the conduct we will be able to know who is what”.
The CP also warned youths celebrating New Yam festival to conduct themselves in a manner that would not give them out as IPOB members as security agents will not spare them.
“Our coming together is to tackle any incident that may rear its ugly head. By this time last year IPOB threatened the security of the state.
“It does not matter that they are armed, the manner of conduct will portray them as terrorist organisation.
“The rules of engagement will be strictly applied. Those celebrating new yam should conduct themselves in a peaceful manner also.
The police boss however urged members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation assuring them of adequate security.
There was however a mild drama during the show of force as the Armoured Personnel Carier ( APC) leading the procession broke down near the Afaraukwu country home of IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
For over 30 minutes efforts to get the pilot APC tank back on track failed , thus, forcing other vehicles on the convoy to abandon it.
The embarrassing situation had caused trafic snarl around the area at the time frantic efforts were being made by the security operatives to re-fix the ailing tank.
Recall that IPOB had directed the people with the territory of the breakaway Biafra republic to stay indoors on September 14 to protest the military raid of Kanu ‘s home one year ago.
Kanu’s whereabouts including that of his parents have remained unknown ever since then.
Meanwhile over 12 Igbo groups including the Eliot Uko -led Igbo Youth Movement have endorsed the September 14 sit at home order by IPOB.
Besides, investigations by Wawa News Global revealed that some schools in Umuahia had already directed their pupils to stay at home on Friday ( September 14).
Some of them placed the information on their notice boards indicating that there would be no school on Friday although no reason was given for the directive believed to be precautionary by many.
It was gathered also that banks may not open for business on that day apparently as part of precautionary measures to avoid exposing their staff and customers to avoidable harm.
Meanwhile IPOB has vowed that no amount of intimidation would make it to back down on the proposed civil disobedience.
A release by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful urged all Biafrans everywhere in the world to remain indoors on that day in honour of all those who have lost their lives in the struggle for Biafra independence.
It also urged them to use the day to pray for peaceful actualisation of Biafra, and to stay away from the streets to avoid being hit by stray bullets from overzealous security operatives.
IPOB also said no amount of provocation would make it change its non violent approach for Biafra actualisation.
It said it would go on to agitate for peaceful secession of Biafra despite stiff resistances from security forces.
End
Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.
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