Police arrest 10 in bust of IPOB meeting in Bayelsa

Personnel of the Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested 10 persons during a secret meeting organized by the members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in a private school in Okutukutu axis of Yenagoa, the state capital.

It was gathered that the meeting was part of the plan by the group to allegedly unleash mayhem on some parts of the Bayelsa State.

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A book with the title, “The Chain of One Nigeria Broken (The story of our journey to Freedom)” was also recovered from the suspects during the raid on the meeting by security operatives.

Some residents of the area told Daily Trust that the arrest was made on Tuesday afternoon following a tip-off and detailed surveillance on the private school, identified as Divine Brain Primary School located in the area.

The suspects were taken to the Bayelsa State Police Command where they were profiled.

According to a resident in the area, “The suspects were arrested by a team of Operation Puff Adder when plain-clothed policemen and uniformed ones stormed the area.

“Many residents started moving into their homes to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law. They proceeded to the school and we were shocked when they brought out people in handcuffs. We thought the school was empty” he said.

It was gathered that a legal practitioner and the headmaster of the school are among the ten persons arrested.

The spokesman for Bayelsa State Police command, SP Asinim Butswat in a statement that seems as confirmation of the incident, warned members of the public in the State to stay clear from any form of association with the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (lPOB).

He said intelligence available to the Command indicates that some misguided elements are planning to set-up IPOB cells in the State, hinting that Police Operatives are on their trail and monitoring their activities.

He said: “The Command will deal decisively with any person or group of persons that attempt to disrupt the prevailing and peaceful security situation in the State.

“The Bayelsa State Police Command hereby, appeals to the good people of Bayelsa State to go about their lawful and legitimate businesses, as the security agencies are on ground to ensure that peace and order is maintained in the State” he said.