IPOB members arrested in Anambra State to be prosecuted

The police in Anambra State yesterday warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) not to dare them.

Commissioner of Police Garba BabaUmar told reporters  that the police would no longer allow miscreants take over the society.

Umar said: “Following the proscription of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the Federal Government, the Anambra State Police Command has taken steps to enforce the ban on all IPOB activities in the State.

“Any person/persons involved in the activities of this proscribed group will be arrested and charged to court. Let me give a concise definition of terrorism as ‘the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate, coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment in order to seriously destabilise or destroy the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structure of a country.

“The Terrorism (prevention) Act 2013, as amended, provides minimum punishment of 20 years and maximum of death sentence, depending on the offence.

“Meanwhile, Section 37 sub section (1) Criminal Code Act, Cap 77 provides that ‘any person who wages war against the State, in order to intimidate or coerce the President or state governor, is guilty of treason and is liable on conviction to be sentenced to death.

“Therefore, I enjoin the general public to know that participating in the activities of this group is illegal and would amount to treasonable felony.

“I want to warn the general populace to desist from aiding and abetting members of this group. They should provide useful information to the police to help us arrest fleeing members of this outlawed organisation.

“The Command also wishes to reiterate that any act of Terrorism is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of motivation. The Command urges the good people of Anambra to come together to sustain the existing peace in the state.”

“On our part, as a law enforcement agency, we shall continue to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens in the state, in line with the vision of IGP Ibrahim K. Idris.”

“The Command is indeed most grateful to the Anambra State Government, Ndi-Anambra for their support”

“I want to appeal to parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to steer away from this group. Together we can make Anambra remain the safest state in the Country,” Umar said.