Fifteen persons suspected to be involved in the shooting by the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), members on Tuesday at new market and Ishieke axis of the state have been arrested in Ebonyi State on Friday.
The state Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Faleye Olayele disclosed, saying the shooting was carried out as the suspects forced people to abide by the sit-at-home order issued by IPOB stopping all residents from coming out of their homes for seven days, from July 3 to 10.
Olaleye said among the 15 suspects arrested from their hideouts, were two herbalists, Okwudili Otozi and Nnenna Ali.
“They have attacked our area commander and burnt our vehicle. They have been terrorizing the state. On July 4, they came to Ishieke firing sporadically and that was on Tuesday.
“I want to tell you that 15 of them have been apprehended, together with their herbalists. We recovered arms and charms of different kinds.
Olayele said the suspects were preparing for another attack on Friday when they were arrested by the police.
“This shows that our officers are dedicated to their duties; the arrest was made possible by our men through the information we got,” he said, and warned all criminal elements to steer clear of Ebonyi.
However, one of the herbalists told newsmen that he was forced to join the gang.
“I did not know that they wanted to operate in Ebonyi; they came to me and requested for medicine and I gave it to them, after which they forced me to join them in the bush for further preparations.
“Please, I was forced to follow them after I gave them the medicine,” Otozi claimed.
