The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for attacking a church.
Colonel Sagir Musa, Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Division, in a statement on Wednesday, said troops swung into action after a distress call.
He said: “Some members of proscribed IPOB forced their way into St Mary Catholic Church Parish Abayi Ariaria in Aba axis at about 1330 hours on Sunday, the 27th of January 2019.
“Troops of Sub sector Bravo in conjunction with the personnel of Nigeria Police, Abia State Command moved to the area and effectively salvaged the situation.
“At the scene, it was reported that IPOB members were shouting no elections in Biafra land and also attempted to beat the pastor Reverend Father Nathaniel Oyedike. A vehicle and some chairs were reportedly damaged in/within the church premises.
“Consequently, 5 persons were arrested and a check point has been established at Ariaria to monitor the situation. The area is calm and routine activities are smoothly being conducted.”
However, troops at Uzuabam axis stopped what would have been farmers-herders clash at Ndi Okereke community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.
The statement added that some herdsmen were alleged to have allowed a flock of cows to destroy some farm crops and that the incident led to the killing of five cows.
“Consequently, the area commander of Ohafia police division and his team, Personal Assistant to Abia State Governor on Mobilization, Mr Chukwuma Ndika, conveyed a peace meeting at the community hall between the two factions with the view to finding a lasting solution to the crisis. Situation has been normalised at the moment,” he said.
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