- Police says four died in the clash while it arrested five IPOB members
The members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has “bought trouble for itself” as the Department of State Security (DSS) on Sunday evening said that the group killed two of its operatives in “what was clearly an unprovoked violent attack” on its patrol team in Emene, near Enugu State capital, Enugu.
Spokesperson of DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, said in a statement titled “UNPROVOKED VIOLENT ATTACK ON DSS PATROL TEAM IN ENUGU” that full scale investigation will be carried out on the incident, stating that the killers of their personnel and “everyone involved in this dastardly act are promptly apprehended and brought to justice.”
According to the statement by Dr Afunanya, “the DSS wishes to inform the public that its patrol team was, today, 23rd August, 2020, attacked in Emene, Enugu State by members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“The Service lost two personnel in what was clearly an unprovoked violent attack launched by IPOB on the team.
“The Service hereby condoles with families of the departed officers and also prays for the repose of their souls.
“However, all measures have been put in place to ensure that their killers and everyone involved in this dastardly act are promptly apprehended and brought to justice. Consequently, a full scale investigation will be carried out with regard to the incident.
“Once again, the Service reaffirms its commitment to assiduously work with other security agencies to maintain public safety and order. It, therefore urges law abiding citizens and residents to go about their normal businesses without fear.”
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Abdurahman, on Sunday confirmed that four persons were feared dead during the clash and that it arrested five IPOB members involved in the clash.
Abdulrahman told newsmen that trouble started when the Department of State Security (DSS) went on a covert operation in Emene early Sunday morning but they were overwhelmed and two of their officials allegedly abducted by IPOB members.
Abdurahman said that the DSS called in Police and Nigerian Amy backup for rescue.
The Police boss noted that the Police was able to rescue one of the DSS officials in a building where he was held hostage.
”However, four persons lost their lives; two were hacked to death with machetes and one passerby set ablaze. Many of the IPOB members also escaped with bullet wound and that the Police have started tracing them,” he said.
Abdurrahman urged health facilities to treat anyone with bullet wounds but should report such cases to the police.
One of the arrested IPOB members, Ebube Agu told journalists that they were having a martial art training for self defense when they were accosted.
Agu said that they were not armed as claimed by the police.
Aand on Sunday, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State visited the scene of the IPOB and security agencies clash at Emene, appealing to the people of the state to remain calm as normalcy has returned to the State.
Ugwuanyi urged residents of the area to go about their normal business as peace has returned.