Soldiers, IPOB, Hausa Community Clash In Rivers
There was panic in Oyibo, Oyibo Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday, as men in uniform, believed to be operatives of the Nigerian Army, clashed with supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
However, another source claimed that IPOB members clashed with Hausa community in the area, where two persons allegedly sustained life-threatening injuries and a mosque burnt down during the incident.
It was said that the incident started when the IPOB members allegedly attacked a mosque and some Northerners residing in the area.
The source claimed the Military men arrived the scene to save the situation before they were allegedly engaged in a free-for-all by IPOB members.
According to the source, no life was lost in the clash, but several people sustained various degrees of injuries.
The source alleged that the IPOB members had blocked the Aba-Port Harcourt expressway and set up bonfire in the middle of the road, obstructing traffic and causing fear among the residents.
A senior Police personnel in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said two persons were fatally injured, while a mosque was burnt down during the clash between suspected IPOB members and Northerners in the area.
He said heavy security mobilisation, including military personnel, had been deployed even as residents of the area remained indoors due to the heavy military presence.
The Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed the clash, however, noted that the Police were still investigating what happened.
Omoni said the parties involved in the clash were unknown at the moment, adding that the Command will issue a statement on the incident soon.
