Ebonyi police command has confirmed the attack on the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), of Kpirikpiri Police Division, CSP John John, on Sunday, following a clash between police and members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The clash as gathered happened on Sunday evening at Oguzoronweya Primary School, in Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi state.
The IPOB members were said to be having their convention in the school when the police heard of it and invaded the area.
Clash ensued between the police and IPOB members and the DPO was hurled stones and other dangerous objects.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah, noted that the IPOB members started attacking the security agents immediately they sighted them.
She added that John would have died but for the helmet he was wearing as well as the bulletproof vest.
“Members of Indigenous People of Biafra, assembled unlawfully and the information got to us, that was on October 27, 2019 at Oguzoronweya Primary School in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State at 2.50 pm. On receiving the information, men of Operation Puff Adder of our command, in active collaboration of other security agencies, went to the place.
“We thought that IPOB members were just normal people that gathered together to have unlawful meeting even when they know they are not lawful in Nigeria. But yesterday was very different. As soon as police got to the area, to their greatest surprise, Mr. John John, the DPO of Kpirikpiri Division, was seriously attacked. If not because he was seriously kitted as a policeman having his helmet on and his bulletproof, he would have been killed. By now you would have just heard that a Chief Superintendent of Police is dead.
“Their lawyer, who was with the IPOB members, was arrested. I talked with him and I was surprised that he denied being their legal adviser. He said he was taking their briefs. I don’t know the difference between a legal adviser and somebody who takes a brief on organisation.
“Many of them ran away but we were able to arrest at least six of them; they are in custody. They are fully dressed in IPOB uniform.” She said.
However, the police as well arrested the legal practitioner, Mr. Orogwu Cyril Ndubuisi, and his fiancé.
