BEVERLY HILLS, February 10, (THEWILL) – A combined team of policemen and soldiers from the 144 Battalion, Asa, Ukwa East LGA of Abia State are alleged to have killed no fewer than 10 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who were engaged in a prayer session at the National High School, Aba, Abia State for the release of their detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who had been denied bail in the treasonable felony trial he is currently facing.
Sources say the security operatives stormed the gate of the school located along Port Harcourt road, Aba, in about 30 vans but could not gain entry as the IPOB members had earlier locked the gates. By the time they found their way into the gathering, the operatives sealed the gate and arrested the Aba Coordinator for IPOB as well as some of his assistants.
Trouble began when the soldiers ordered the IPOB members to leave the area, but they refused saying they had only gathered to hold prayers. This infuriated the security operatives who reportedly started shooting from all corners, killing 10 members of the group while others were engaged in arresting those they could lay hands on.
The heavy commotion which this resulted to in the area caused over 30 persons to sustain various degrees of injuries. This was as the arrested IPOB members got clamped into the patrol vans and taken towards the Area Command headquarters of the Police.
While narrating what transpired on a telephone conversation with THEWILL, an IPOB official who pleaded anonymity, said: “As at 9 O’clock this morning, we gathered at Ibo National High School for prayers and to be addressed by the Aba coordinator
“While the prayers were on, we noticed police patrol vans and because we locked the gate, they could not enter. They attempted to scale the fence, but could not. Shortly after, soldiers came in Hilux vans and scaled the fence.
“When the security men eventually entered, they asked for our coordinator but we resisted them. The next thing we heard was gunshot. I can tell you that not less than 10 people died.
“As their shots continued, there was a stampede as almost all of us who have gathered tried to escape and you know we are many.
“I can tell you that over 30 of our members sustained bullet in the process. But they are now receiving medical treatment at various hospitals in Aba,” he stated.
Meanwhile, attempts were made to get the reactions of the Army and Police authorities in the state which proved abortive.
