By Deborah Hassan
Contrary to reports that the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) hoisted its flag in Ado Local Government Area of Benue, the Benue State Police Command has stated that no such thing happened in the area.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Catherine Anene, via a text message, debunked the the news as false on Wednesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Mr James Oche, had told newsmen that a group hoisted the proscribed IPOB flag at Ekile in the council area on Sunday.
Oche had alleged that the hoisting of the flag was sponsored by some politicians plotting to destabilise the government. He also claimed that the group had also invaded a market at Ekile, beat up revenue collectors, claiming that the Nigerian government and by extension, the council, could no longer collect revenue from the market.
“They said the revenue from the market will be put into IPOB purse.
“When this happened, I sent policemen but they took advantage of the #EndSARS protest, beat up the officers and almost took away their guns but they managed to escape with their lives intact.
“I called on Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) – military operation, and they were able to make an arrest. I have visited the area and summoned a meeting of the elders of the area,’’ the chairman had said.