IPOB ‘Headquarters’ In Port Harcourt Still On Military Lockdown As Police Ask Group To Leave Rivers

The Oyigbo community in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, regarded as the headquarters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is still on lockdown more than 48 hours after the military invaded the area in search of looters of police armouries.

Stern looking soldiers are still on guard to ensure compliance with a 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government following outbreak of violence in the area.

The State Police Command has also declared war against the group, saying the proscribed organization must leave the state or be treated as terrorists.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Mukan, made this declaration during a meeting with DPOs and HODs of the Tactical Units in the Command on Friday.

A statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Nnamdi Omoni, said the commissioner gave them marching orders to deploy both Intelligence and Patrols across the state within the next 48hours to ensure that items looted are recovered and perpetrators arrested with immediate effect.

The CP also warned members of the IPOB to relocate from the state as machineries have been put in place to fish them out and deal with them as terrorists.

He further enjoined the public to increase their security consciousness and report any suspicious character or the whereabouts of any of the looted property to the nearest police station or call the following security numbers: 08032003514, 08028915462, 08182157778.