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As the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) continue to canvass for the secession and sovereignty of Eastern Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS) has vowed that "everyone involved" in the August 23 killing of its personnel will be "brought to justice", AllNews reports.
In a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, the West African nation's secret police said its patrol team was “attacked in Emene, Enugu State by members of the proscribed IPOB.”
“The Service lost two personnel in what was clearly an unprovoked violent attack launched by IPOB on the team,” Afunanya said.
The agency condoled with families of the departed officers and also prayed 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,” the spokesperson said.
Recall AllNews had on Sunday reported how deaths and injuries were recorded when machete-wielding members of the group allegedly gathered at the St Patrick’s Community School compound, along the old Abakaliki road to conduct a “combat training for new members.”
The information about their gathering was said to have filtered to operatives of the DSS, who stormed the venue to stop the exercise from taking place.
A heated argument was said to have ensued leading to a free for all with both camps using different objects against each other
The Biafra campaigners were said to have overpowered the DSS operatives and made it to a nearby Emene Police station, chanting solidarity songs.
According to Guardian, a source stated that, though some of the officials of the DSS had guns they could not fire at the rampaging members of the group, “because they were not permitted to apply force on the group”.
"It was while attempting to gain entrance into the police station that about a dozen patrol vans loaded with well-armed security agents, made up of Police, Army and DSS moved into the scene and started shooting at them”, the source said.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB said 21 of its members were killed in the clash.
Powerful said 47 IPOB members were also arrested.
AllNews could not independently verify the claims on casualty by the IPOB spokesman.
“The Nigerian government and her security agencies have once again exhibited another crude round of killing and massacre against the peaceful and unarmed IPOB family members in Enugu State today 23rd of August, 2020," IPOB stated.
“We are surprised how Nigerian security agencies in their respective formations like army, police and DSS will be slaughtering our people without any provocation.
“This rampant killing of innocent members of IPOB will be reciprocated in due cause. IPOB members have been slaughtered and arrested in their numbers across different locations in Enugu State today Sunday 23rd August 2020”
“We MUST warn and put the whole world on notice that Nigerian Government and her security operatives should stop killing our people because we are peaceful organisation with the mandate of restoring Biafra sovereignty within shortest period,”
Powerful narrated his group’s version of how the violence started.
He said the IPOB members were holding a peaceful meeting when armed SSS operatives stormed the area shooting sporadically.
“Today, the Nigerian security personnel stormed IPOB meeting ground in Enugu and started shooting sporadically which consumed lives of 21 members and 47 arrested for just no cause or provocation,” Powerful said.
He alleged that the security operatives took the bodies of the slain IPOB members away.
“The security in the whole world must understand that keeping quiet and following the rule of law should not be construed as weakness on the part of IPOB.”
He said the group is a peaceful organisation and will remain peaceful despite the provocations.
“IPOB is a well-rooted movement committed fully on the pursuit for Biafra freedom and independence from Nigeria. We are not a violent group and there is nothing they can do to change our resolve to maintain peace and order in our land.
“The efforts of the Nigeria government and her partners in crime in trying to push IPOB to change their tactics will amount to vanity”.
“We are warning and asking Nigeria government and her security operatives to stop this atrocity immediately. Why have they refused to confront Fulani terrorists herdsmen, Boko Haram terrorists, Ansaru group, Fulani bandits, ISIS and other groups ravaging the country and busy killing innocent and unarmed citizens of IPOB?”
Poweful said “those responsible for this barbaric killing in Enugu today must pay for their actions against IPOB at the appropriate time.”
“It is laughable for DSS to be claiming that they lost five personnel in the hands of unarmed and peaceful people. It is clear to all that IPOB doesn’t indulge or carry arm or involve with any object. IPOB is a peaceful movement and we must remain so till Biafra is totally achieved”, he added.
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