- The Anambra state police command says it is prepared to enforce the federal government’s proscription of IPOB
- The state commissioner of police, Garba Umar, urges the public to desist from aiding and abetting members of the proscribed group
- The police boss asks the public to provide useful information to the police so that fleeing members of the outlawed organisation can be arrested
Following the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the federal government, the Anambra state police command has warned that anyone found associating with the group could face the death punishment as prescribed for those belonging to a terrorist organisation.
READ ALSO: Bianca Ojukwu speaks about the categorization of IPOB as a terrorist organization
Issuing the warning at a press conference on Monday September 18, the commissioner of police in the state, Garba Umar, said the police was prepared to enforce the ban on the group, the Punch reports.
He said: “Following the proscription of Indigenous People of Biafra by the Federal Government, the Anambra State Police Command has taken steps to enforce the ban on all IPOB activities in the state."
The police boss warned that any person caught involving in the activities of IPOB will be arrested and charged to court.
"Let me give a concise of definition of terrorism as “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate, coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment in order to seriously destabilise or destroy the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structure of a country.
“The Terrorism (prevention) Act, 2013 as amended provides minimum punishment of 20 years and maximum of death sentence depending on the offence. Therefore, I enjoin the general public to know that participating in the activities of this group is illegal and would amount to treasonable felony," he stated.
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Umar urged the public to also desist from aiding and abetting members of the proscribed group.
He said they should provide useful information to the police so that fleeing members of the outlawed organisation can be arrested.
“The command also wishes to reiterate that any act of terrorism is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of motivation, he stated.
The police boss appealed to parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to steer clear of IPOB and its activities.
Meanwhile, as controversy trail the Nigerian army's declaration of IPOB as a terrorist group and the proscription of the group by southeast governors, President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly signed a proclamation proscribing the group.
In a bid to take the heat off the Nigerian army, the president signed the presidential proclamation on Sunday before leaving for the US to attend the 72nd session of United Nations general assembly, This Day reports.
A source in the attorney general’s office reportedly claimed that the president has effectively initiated the formal process of proscribing IPOB in accordance with the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.
In the video below, NAIJ.com TV asked people what effect they think the formation of the Biafra Security Service (BSS) will have on the struggle for Biafra Republic.
Source: Naij.com
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Tuesday, 19 September 2017