According to a report by
The Punch, members of the group had stormed Okigwe Road and destroyed
billboards of candidates of political parties, just days to the 2019 general
elections.
A police source told The
Punch that the officers who were sent to the scene of the destruction were
attacked by IPOB members, resulting in the tragic killing of the three.
The clash also left four
officers injured after being reportedly shot when IPOB members got possession
of an AK-47 from one of them, according to Southern City News.
The source said, "The
IPOB members stormed the street and started destroying billboards of candidates
of political parties. Policemen quickly rushed to the scene, but on sighting
the policemen, the IPOB members attacked them.
"In the ensuing
battle, three members of the IPOB lost their lives, while two were rushed to
the hospital. Four policemen were also shot and taken to the hospital."
Another police source told
The Punch that the Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the
command, Victor Geoffery, later mobilised his men to the scene and arrested
some of the IPOB members.
"As I speak to you, 20
of them are in our custody," the source said.
He said Biafra insignias
were recovered from the suspects who will be charged to court after an
investigation.
The separatist group was
branded a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government in 2017 after a
series of high-profile clashes with the Nigerian Army. The group's leader,
Nnamdi Kanu, is also on the run after jumping the bail he was granted on
charges of treasonable felony.
Earlier this month, the
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, urged troops to clamp
down on activities of the outlawed group to prevent disruption of the
forthcoming election.
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