The 33 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, arrested at the Motor Spare Parts Market in Nnewi, Anambra State, have regained their freedom unconditionally.
The chairman of the Fairly Used and New Motorcycle Dealers Association, FUNMDA, Chukwueloka Ubajekwe, who broke the news to Anaedooline on Sunday, December 2, said the 33 traders were released in Nnewi, at the office of the Nnewi Police Area Commander, ACP Nnanna Ama.
Ubajekwe disclosed that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, deployed a special team that carried out investigation, and subsequently released the suspects.
According to Ubajekwe, the team arrived Awka and brought the 33 suspects down to Nnewi at about 5:30pm on Saturday, December 1; and search was conducted in their various shops.
After the search, according to the chairman, the suspects were taken down to Nnewi Police Area Command where their unconditional release was secured by the leadership of Nnewi markets.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Anambra State, Haruna Mohammed, neither took his call nor replied text message put across to him as regards the development. Meanwhile, the Nnewi Area Commander, ACP Nnanna Ama, confirmed the development to Anaedooline. He said the 33 traders mistaken as IPOB members were released in his presence at the Nnewi Area Command at about 11:30pm on Saturday, December 1; adding that they were instructed to report to the headquarters on Monday, December 3, so that they would collect all their personal belongings, including money, motorcycles and items of clothing.
Ama said the IGP's special team, who released the suspects tendered unalloyed apology on behalf of the IGP and the Nigerian Police Force to the affected persons, their families, Nnewi and Anambra people, over the mistaken identity.
Anaedooline recalls that on Friday, November 23, suspected members of IPOB invaded Nnewi market, where they clashed with men of the Nigerian police, killing a police inspector and injuring two other officers; leading to the arrest of the 33 suspects.
Anaedooline had on Thursday, November 29, reported that the suspects would be released on Saturday, December 1, based on reliable information from police source.
