Brawl Around Kanu’s Home

There was fracas yesterday around the Umuahia, the Abia State capital residence of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, between security agents and members of the separatist group.

But Kanu and security chiefs disagreed on the cause of the fracas and the number of those injured.

The leadership of IPOB in Abia State alleged a plot by security agencies to eliminate Kanu.

It alleged that soldiers in three patrol vans and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) shot and injured some of its supporters at Kanu’s country home at Afara Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia.

Kanu told reporters on the telephone that he was resting at around 6.30pm yesterday when one of his relatives drew his attention to the heavy presence of soldiers at the main entrance to his family home.

He alleged that the soldiers who he claimed came for his life, started shooting sporadically and in the process injured many people.

The IPOB leader described the incident as “crude show of power” on innocent people.

He urged IPOB members to remain calm.

Kanu’s father and the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu Community, HRH Eze Israel Kanu described “the invasion” as “unwarranted and shocking”.

The monarch said his son committed no crime to warrant an invasion of his palace.

Army Public Relations Officer, 14Brigade Ohafia Major Oyegoke Gbadamosi, denied that “the soldiers on routine patrol” shot at any IPOB member.

Major Gbadamosi accused the IPOB members of attacking the soldiers and injuring some of them.

Commissioner of Police Adeleye Oyebade in response to a text message sent to him by our reporter confirmed the incident.

He wrote: “Unfortunately, a policeman on guard duties going to work was matched by the IPOB group. A soldier man and a civilian were equally injured. All are being treated in the Police Clinic for minor injuries sustained.

“Normalcy has been restored, as our men are fully on the ground, to ensure no further breach of the peace.”