Soldiers attached to Goodluck Jonathan Army Barracks, 14Brigade Ohafia, Abia State have reportedly arrested five members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state.

Information gathered by our reporter has it the IPOB members were said to be part of the pro-Biafra group that disrupted church service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Abayi, Ariaria in Osisioma Local Government Area on Sunday, January 27.

Investigation by our reporter revealed the atmosphere in the church got charged when some of the IPOB members who were also at the church prevented a politician from the ruling PDP in the state from addressing the church.

Sources at the venue stated that attempts by the presiding priest, Reverend Father Nathaniel Oyedike failed as members of the group and some parishioners joined in signing and chanting pro-IPOB songs which brought the service to close abruptly.

It was gathered the parishioners and IPOB members who insisted that they would rather have a referendum than being part of the 2019 election in the state and other Southeast states stormed outside the church.

In the process, they damaged all the glasses of a PDP branded Sienna bearing the picture of the incumbent senator representing Abia Central and former Governor of the State, Theodore Ahamefule Orji.

Confirming the arrest of the IPOB members, a source from 14Brigade, disclosed that the pro-Biafra members were arrested by troops of Sub sector Bravo in conjunction with the personnel of Nigerian police, Abia State Command that moved to the area and effectively salvaged the situation.

“At the scene, it was reported that IPOB members were shouting no elections in Biafra land and also attempted to beat the pastor; Reverend Father Nathaniel Oyedike.

“A vehicle and some chairs were reportedly damaged in/within the church premises.”

The source, who spoke anonymously, also stated as part of the gains of the ongoing Egwueke III, personnel of Sector 2, Sub sector Charlie stationed at Ubakala junction in Umuahia South LGA based on a distressed call rescued two lawyers Barrister Loveth Nonye Ofoegbu and Barrister Kaodi Onuoha reportedly kidnapped along Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government of the state.

The soldiers were said to have started stop- and- search operation on the road when they got information of the kidnap and on sensing danger, abandoned their victims and made away to a nearby bush.

The source, who noted the military has recorded successes since the inception of the Egwueke III, said the troops of Sector 2, Sub Sector Alfa raided a hideout of suspected armed robbers in Ahaba, Imenyi community of Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State where an armed robbery suspect, one Mr. Chidiebere Orji was arrested while other members of his gang are said to be at large.

Investigation indicated the gang members were alleged to be behind the robbery of Mr. and Mrs. Kelechi Orji at their residence in Ahaba Imenyi community where they carted away N4million.

•Sourced from The Nation report

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