Confusion As IPOB, Nigerian Army, Police Disagree Over Attack On Kanu’s Residence

The Indigenous of People of Biafra (IPOB) earlier today took to social media to report that the Nigerian Army had laid an ambush on the residence of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. The group claimed that the military men had tried to forcefully enter the premises of Nnamdi and on failure to do so, had began firing shots at security officers and unarmed IPOB members around the area. The secessionist group claimed that 3 persons werekilled and 20 others severely injured.

Nnamdi Kanu claimed that the soldiers stormed his residence and injured several occupants in an attempt to kill him.

Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the legal adviser to Nnamdi Kanu, also asserts that the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, is doing everything in its power to kill his client. Mr. Ejiofor says the President and the Chief of Army Staff, should be held responsible by the international community if anything happens to his client.

In response to this accusations, the Nigerian Military shared a video reporting that IPOB members had attacked their armored personnel carrier as it drove by the residence of Nnamdi Kanu. The Nigerian Army denies any attacks was carried out on the premises of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Subsequently, the Nigerian Army also released a press statement signed by Major Oyegoke Gbadamosi, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, vehemently denying any attacks on Mr. Kanu’s residence.

“This is far from the truth. Rather, it was a group of suspected IPOB militants that blocked the road against troops of 145 Battalion while as a show of force along FMC-World Bank road in Umuahia town, Abia state at about 6.00 - 6.30pm today. They insisted that the military vehicles would not pass and started pelting soldiers with stones and broken bottles to the point of injuring an innocent female passerby and a soldier, Corporal Kolawole Matthew. The troops fired warning shots in the air and the hoodlums dispersed. No life was lost.” the statement read.

Also reacting to the event, the Abia State Police Commissioner, Lele Oyebade, stated that there was no attack on the home of Nnamdi Kanu.

“What happened was that the military was parading a new armored carrier and passed through Nnamdi Kanu’s residence”.

The federal government of Nigeria had recently asked the court to revoke Kanu’s bail after the IPOB leader allegedly breached bail conditions granted by the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. Also, the Nigerian Army recently began drills in the South East known as "Operation Python Dance II".