The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 12 persons suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The suspects were arrested in Onitsha while parading along the road, hoisting Biafran flags.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, said and over 50 flags with different inscriptions of IPOB/MASSOB were recovered from the suspects.

The statement reads in part: “On May 21, 2019 at about 11pm, there was a report that (members of) Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) came out in large numbers moving around with dangerous weapons and at the same time hoisting flags of the proscribed group on poles and billboards along Asaba-Onitsha express way in Onitsha.

“Following the report, Police operatives rushed to the scene in order to prevent them from mounting the flags but they engaged the Police with catapults and stones.

“However, 12 suspects were arrested and over 50 flags with different inscriptions of IPOB/MASSOB and Biafran Independent Movements (BIM) recovered as exhibits.

According to Mohammed, similar incident happened in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday.”

The statement added that “at about 7am, on May 22, 2019, there was another intelligence report that some misguided elements suspected to be IPOB members were sighted at various locations mounting Biafran flags along Ekwulobia-Uga road in Aguata LGA of Anambra State.

“Police patrol teams pursued them and arrested 12 suspects while others escaped.”

The PPRO reeled out items recovered from the suspects to include, 72 Biafran flags and items with Biafran inscriptions adding that the case is under investigation.

While insisting that IPOB remains a proscribed organisation, the police spokesman said that all its activities were illegal.

He said that the Command will not relent in its efforts of enforcing law and order in the state.