Residents of Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State were yesterday thrown into panic following an unusual presence of Police and Army patrolling the roads and streets of the commercial city, Vanguard reports.
At about 8.30am, more than 10 patrol Pick Up vans belonging to the Nigerian Police and Nigerian Army with heavily armed men were seen patrolling in a convoy through the roads and streets in Onitsha, including Old Market Road, New Market road, Awka road, Oguta road and other streets in Onitsha.
Some of the residents who gathered in clusters discussing the joint Police and Army patrol alleged that it might not be unconnected with the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, anti-2019 general election rally and the rally in solidarity with the re-appearance of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
However, IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said Police and Army are just wasting their time hunting for their members.
“It is on record that since the formation and inception of IPOB, ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,we have never indulged in any violence or crime of any sort no matter the level of provocation from Nigerian government and her security agencies.
“IPOB is firmly rooted in the principle of peaceful agitation which the current Nigerian Government and her controllers are fighting hard to change.
“However, it is shocking and baffling that people in government have decided to propagate false information and lies against IPOB, not minding that we have remained peaceful and civil in every of our outing and conduct especially the recent ‘no election’ evangelism that happened in Nnewi Anambra State.”