The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has raised the alarm over plans by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to hijack the burial of ceremony of parents of the leader of the group (Nnamdi Kanu), His Royal Highness Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and wife, Ugoeze Sally Meme Okwu Kanu who would be laid to rest on Friday, February 14.
The Commissioner of Police, Ene Okon in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna accused the IPOB members of causing tension and panic among residents and indigenes of Isiama Afaraukwu through their recent utterances.
Okon, who disclosed the deployment of personnel of the security agency to the community, stated that it was a proactive step by the police to ensure the safety of residents and property and also to stop any moves by miscreants and hoodlums to truncate the burial process.
“The Nigeria Police Abia State Command has been inundated with series of intelligence that miscreants disguising as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are intending to hijack the burial process of His Royal Majesty Eze and Ugoeze I.O. Kanu of Afara Community Umuahia in solidarity to the leader of the proscribed organisation.
“This intention negates the principles of peace loving and Christian nature of the deceaseds in according them befitting burial as respected traditional leader and knights of the Christendom.
It has also caused tension and panic among residents/indigenes of Afara Community resulting in movements out of the Community.
“The presence of security officials in and around the Community should not be seen as a threat but a proactive measure to prevent the infiltration of miscreants and hoodlums into the community to actualize their intentions of truncating the burial process and peace hitherto enjoyed by the peace loving people of Afara community and Abia State at large.
“More so, the Commissioner of Police enjoins the public to disregard the rumours making rounds that he wants to scuttle the burial process whereas he has the good intention of providing security to lives and property of the people .
“To this end therefore, the Commissioner of Police Abia State Command, CP Ene Okon in alliance with the Afara Community wish to re-assure all residents, indigenes and those attending the burial of their safety while miscreants are warned to steer clear of the environment as the security operatives will not fold their arm and watch their unlawful activities,” the statement explained.