Rivers State Police Command has said it arrested over sixty five members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who defiled the order against unauthorized gathering in the state.
The police paraded the over sixty five suspected members of IPOB at the command headquarters, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
The command also dismissed rumours that some pro biafra agitators were killed during the gathering.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operation, Ahmed Magaji who briefed newsmen on behalf of the commissioner of police said the IPOB members took laws into their hands by organizing and staging unlawful and unauthorized protest, thereby disturbing the peace of the state.
Magaji said the action of IPOB members violated an act, which was contrary to section 41C of criminal Code Act, Cap C37 laws of the Federation 2014, which he said amounted to treasonable felony.
He said the activities of the Pro Biafra agitators also caused some discomfort for the people of Rivers by disrupting free flow of traffic, which he said prevented residents from going about their normal businesses.
Magaji also said the security operatives only used reasonable force such as teargas to disperse the rampaging group from carrying out their unlawful intention.
“We called you here to let you know that 65 members of the IPOB were arrested during a protest held in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
“The IPOB members came out in thousands to disrupt public peace in the city despite earlier warnings that unauthorized gatherings are not allowed anywhere in this state.
“It is also important to let you know that It is very untrue that anyone was killed during the protest by IPOB members in Port Harcourt.
“The Police used minimal force to discharge the agitators. No shot was fired.”
Magaji assured that the police under the supervision of Commissioner of Police, Francis Odesanya would continue to ensure that crime and criminality was brought to the barest minimum, just as he pleaded for cooperation among the residents of the state.
He said the arrested members of the IPOB would be charged to court.
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