Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that the Nigerian Army tried to kill its leader Nnamdi Kanu at his residence in Afara Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, the Abia state capital.
IPOB media and publicity secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful told Vanguardthat the attackers wore army and police uniforms and drove into the palace of the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu, who is the father of Nnamdi and started shooting people.
“We did not clash with anybody or group. The attackers wore Nigerian soldiers and Nigeria Police uniforms and came to kill our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in his compound at Afaraukwu, Umuahia and started shooting sporadically and killed five people and up to thirty other people had bullet wounds. After attacking our people, they drove off. They came in five Hilux vans,” Powerful said.
Facebook users shared live videos in the aftermath of the said attack.
Warning: Videos contain graphic content
In a telephone conversation with The Nation, Kanu said that the attack began at about 6:30pm when soldiers, who he claimed came to kill him started shooting sporadically as they got to the main entrance of his residence, adding that many people were wounded.
Kanu, who described the incident as “crude show of power,” urged his followers to remain calm.
Army Public Relations Officer, 14 Brigade Ohafia, Major Oyegoke Gbadamosirefuted the allegations, adding that soldiers were on routine patrol in the area and did not shoot at IPOB supporters.
Gbadamosi said that IPOB members attacked and injured soldiers.
Confirming that there was an incident in Kanu’s residence, Abia state commissioner of police Adeleye Oyebade said: “Unfortunately, a policeman on guard duties going to work was matcheted by the IPOB group, while a soldier man and a civilian were equally injured. All are being treated in the Police Clinic for minor injuries sustained. Normalcy has been restored, as our men are fully on ground, to ensure no further breach of the peace.”
– BellaNaija
