– Warns IPOB against violence
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
The police in Anambra State has assured citizens of adequate security on Monday, during the scheduled restructuring summit of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, which holds in Awka.
Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra had earlier warned Ohaneze Ndigbo to shelve the planned summit or risk attack.
IPOB said no summit, meant to discuss restructuring of Nigeria would be condoned anywhere in Igbo land, insisting that only a summit to discuss referendum for the freedom of Biafra would be supported.
The group warned that its members would occupy the entire Anambra capital, Awka, beginning from Sunday evening, and would also troop en masse to Ekwueme Square, the venue of the summit on Monday and ensure it was disrupted.
But speaking to THISDAY in an exclusive phone interview, the public relations officer of Anambra State Police Command, SP Haruna Mohammed assured that the command and its men were fully in charge of the state, and were ready to contain any trouble from IPOB.
Mohammed said his men would not tolerate any form of violence from IPOB, warning that those caught in any act of violence would be dealt with.
He informed that adequate manpower would be deployed both at the venue and around the state capital, including the anti-bomb squad, which he said would thoroughly screen the venue and its surrounding before the event.
“I am sounding this as a note if warning to any group that plans to make trouble, during the summit. We are ready for them and will not tolerate any violence. Our men are ready for them and we are assuring members of the public to go about their duties diligentlyâ€, he added.
