Sit-at-home: Police arrest 15 IPOB members over shooting in Ebonyi

Ebonyi State police command said it has arrested 15 persons suspected to be involved in the shooting by members of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra on Tuesday at new market and Ishieke axis of the state.

In a viral video obtained by News Band Newspaper, the suspects were seen forcing people to obey the sit-at-home order issued by the rogue faction of the outlawed group led by the Finland based bandit, Simon Ekpa.

The unfortunate situation has stopped all residents from going about their normal businesses for seven days, from July 3 to 10.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Faleye Olayele told newsmen in Abakaliki that among the 15 suspects arrested from their hideouts, were two herbalists, Okwudili Otozi and Nnenna Ali.

“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.

Mr 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.

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