The police in Abia State yesterday arrested 51 persons suspected to be members of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), but operating as members of “Judaism’’, in Umuahia.
Spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the arrest in a phone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia.
Ogbonna, a Superintendent of Police, said the suspects were arrested for allegedly being in possession of insignias of the outlawed IPOB.
He said the suspects comprised 41 men and 10 women, adding that they would be arraigned at the end of the investigation.
NAN reports that the suspects held a procession on major streets of Umuahia, carrying placards with inscriptions written in Jewish language.
They were intercepted by a team of anti-riot policemen, who shot teargas canisters in their attempt to disperse the procession.
The development caused stampede at Isigate market, as traders, shop owners, passers-by and motorists ran in different directions for safety.
The suspects, who were dressed in religious white attires with small caps, similar to those of the Jews, began the procession from Afaraukwu community, where the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, hails from, but were dispersed at Isigate.
One of the members, who identified himself as Israel el-Ibe, told reporters that the procession was organised to “publicly demonstrate our desire to be allowed to have a Jewish state of our own in Biafra land because we are Jews in Biafra land.”
Emeh Achanga,the CEO of the Miss Petite Nigeria Brand is a lawyer turned blogger. She is very passionate about writing, with several publications and awards to her credit .She is currently working on publishing a collection of short stories which are basically a memoir about her exciting true experiences.
