Abia State Govt. Imposes Curfew on Aba After Soldiers,IPOB Clash

Following Sunday’s clash between the civil populace, especially members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and soldiers of the Nigerian Army at the country home of the IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu, as well as further skirmishes Tuesday around the border communities between Abia and Rivers State, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikeazu, has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on Aba, the commercial capital of the state.
This is just as Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, claimed that soldiers laid siege to the IPOB leader’s residence in Afaraukwu, Umuahia in Abia State, Tuesday and placed him under house arrest.

According to the lawyer, the latest invasion on Kanu’s residence led to a clash between IPOB members and the deaths of four persons with several others injured.
But even as the claim that Kanu had been placed under house arrest could not be verified, another clash took place in the neighbouring Oyigbo community in Rivers State between IPOB members and the military, which eyewitnesses said resulted in the deaths of two persons and many injured. Oyigbo is about 25km from Aba in Abia State.

Ikpeazu, who addressed journalists after an emergency meeting of the security council in the state which was convened over the security situation, said the curfew came into effect Tuesday and would last for three days (September 12-14) between 6pm and 6am, adding that “Aba residents are advised to observe the curfew”.
The Abia governor said he was quite aware of the degenerating security situation in the state, noting that the clashes between the army and IPOB members “could presumably be attributed to the commencement of the said Operation Python Dance II”.
Curiously, the governor made no mention of any invasion on Kanu’s residence Tuesday, thus raising doubts over the claim made by the lawyer of the separatist leader.
In order to curb the rising tension in the state, Ikpeazu urged the army to carry out its operation in accordance with standard rules of engagement, taking cognisance of human rights and the rule of law.
He said: “While the Government of Abia State recognises the right of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to perform their statutory duty of protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens, such duties must be carried out within acclaimed Nigerian and international standards of engagement with the civil populace, with due respect to the human rights of citizens and the sanctity of human lives.”