Arase orders immediate disarmament of IPOB members.

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has ordered the immediate disarmament of members of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).


The order came on the heels of Monday’s deadly clash between some suspected members of the group and policemen in some states of the Southeast and Southsouth.
Mr. Arase, who decried the killing of policemen by members of IPOB yesterday, described the latest insurrection by the group as a new vista in their “misguided attempt to test the common will of the nation”.

A statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, said: “Following the manifestation of the disposition of the armed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) activists to undertake premeditated attacks on Police officers engage in operations aimed at restoring public order in States in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zone of the country, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, fdc, NPM has directed the Assistant Inspectors General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in the affected area to disarm members of the group operating firearms immediately.
“The IGP noted that the targeted attacks on Police personnel, who have been performing their statutory functions in the most professional and civil manner since the latest resurgence disorder, portrays the IPOB activists who are orchestrating the insurrection as having crossed the threshold in their misguided attempt to test the common will of the nation.
“IGP Arase, while condemning the killing by members of IPOB, also directed the arrest of any member of the group found in possession of firearm and bring him/her to deserved justice, while all IPOB activists arrested in connection with the killing of the Policemen should be charged to court for murder”.
Meanwhile, the statement said the Nigeria Police Force will continue to diligently work towards eliminating any threat to internal security even as it assured Nigerians that their safety and security will continue to be a top priority.