Two men suspected of being Ipob members arrested while planting bomb under bridge in Ebonyi

TWO suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) have been arrested by the Ebonyi State Police Command for allegedly planting improvised explosive devices (IED) under Idembia Bridge in the capital Abakaliki.

According to Awosola Awotinde, the Ebonyi State police commissioner, the road where the  bridge is leads to the hometown of Governor David Umahi. He added that the two suspects Nweke Kinsley and Uwakwe Chigioke were arrested following intelligence reports from the Idembia community.

He added that the suspects hail from Ishielu and Ezza North local government areas of the state and there are reports that some members of a political party were planning to bomb other bridges and installations across the state. Mr Awotinde said the two suspects were arrested by villagers living close to the bridge which links Ezza South to Ohaozara Local Government Area.

Governor Umahi had earlier in a live broadcast raised the alarm about such plots. He added that a house of assembly candidate of a political party a went to a quarry site in the state a few days ago to purchase explosives but was turned down by the operators who also reported to the state government.

“A report came to me as chief security officer of this state that an Ebonyi State House of Assembly candidate went to quarry site to buy explosives and the people came and reported to us, they refused to sell to him. We had to immediately report to the security agencies and they have the name of the person.

"They moved into action to arrest the person and I have said they should declare him wanted. Subsequently, four hours later, we got information that a meeting was held and it was agreed to plant explosives in hotels, in flyovers and bridges including bridges built by past administration in the state," he added.

Governor Umahi stressed: “We were still examining the authenticity of the information, and the commissioner for internal security called to say that the community and neighbourhood security watch apprehended two people that have succeeded in planting explosives at Idembia bridge and they have not detonated it. They were still planting it as they went to the expansion of the bridge with the weakest link to plant it but they have been apprehended and sent to the army who have sent them to the police.

 “Two House of Representatives candidates in Ezza North Local Government Area were shooting guns and incidentally, a police orderly was attached to one of them who

participated in the shooting of gun. The matter has been reported to the police to fish out the police orderly and he must be arrested.

“Also, the army arrested one of the candidates of a political party along the road with a short gun, then in Ikwo, somebody was arrested with a gun for terrorising his community. I have encouraged Ebonyians to come out and vote because we have enough security and the security agencies are equal to the task and they are very neutral and well prepared to protect the people."