Military, IPOB clash thickens

The frosty relationship between the separatist Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and troops of the Nigerian Army was further strained, yesterday, following a clash in the commercial city of Aba, Abia State, barely three days after an earlier incident in the state capital.

IPOB claimed that troops surrounded the residence of its leader in Umuahia.

IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Powerful confirmed it saying: “The peaceful area of Ubakala junction, Isi Gate and Ibeku, Nnamdi Kanu’s hometown has become a dangerous zone since the declaration of Operation Python Dance in the South East.”

The soldiers also manhandled journalists, who, in the process, lost their i-Pads, telephones and laptops.

State Chairman of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), John Emejor, said troops invaded the union office over allegation that some journalists who were at the secretariat’s balcony took pictures of officers involved in the show of force, tagged Operation Python Dance 11.

Following reactions and condemnations, the army claimed the magnitude of the attack was over-blown, but added that troops involved in the attack would face disciplinary action.

“While it was true there was an issue between some soldiers on routine patrol, the magnitude is not as was reported. What happened was that while the soldiers on patrol near the Abia State NUJ Secretariat, they noticed some people filming them. Unfortunately, they seized and damaged their recording devices; an i-Pad and two mobile phones. Preliminary investigation shows that the items belongs to journalists on their legitimate duties. Consequently, the Commander 14 Brigade and Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division waded into the matter, which has since been resolved amicably,” Major Oyegoke Badamosi said in a statement.

Apparently to halt the sour relationship between the supporters of IPOB and the government from sliding further, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, announced a three-day curfew in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, even as South East Governors Forum (SEGF) scheduled an emergency meeting for tomorrow to discuss the issue.

Ikpeazu in a statement he personally signed at the end of a crucial meeting with heads of security agencies at the Government House, said the curfew would be effective from 6pm to 6am.

While the governor did not see anything wrong with the Python Dance II, he, however, demanded that it should be carried out according to international best practices.

He further urged members of the public and Aba residents to be law abiding and go about their businesses without any fear, as government was committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property of visitors and residents.

The statement read in part: “Abia State has for the past few days been the focus of security searchlight occasioned by the reported skirmish between some groups in the state, especially Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with men of the Nigerian Army.

“Government notes and has observed the frenzy of activities of members of IPOB within Afara-Umuahia, the ancestral home of the leader of IPOB for some months now. Government is equally aware of the recent proclamation by the Nigerian Army of Operation Python Dance II within the South-East geopolitical region of Nigeria.

“The operation as declared by the Army is intended to check kidnapping, banditry, assassination, secessionist activities within the region, amongst other forms of criminal activities.

“The recent confrontation between the Nigerian Army and members of IPOB on Sunday, 10th September, 2017, could presumably be attributed to the commencement of the said Operation Python Dance II.

“The Abia State Government unequivocally states that Abia is a component state of the Federal Republi