A native doctor and about 10 other suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who were trying to enforce the sit-at-home order have been arrested the Police in Ebonyi State.

The Commissioner of Police, CP, Augustina Ogbodo said this in Abakaliki, while parading suspects recently arrested by the command for various offences.

The CP attributed the breakthroughs and successes recorded by the command to intelligence-driven and community-based policing.

She said the suspected IPOB/ESN members were intercepted at Ohaozara local government area recently.

She said: “The tactical teams immediately on receipt of the distress call, swung into action. The hoodlums were trailed to Akaeze/ Uburu where there was a gun duel between them.

“The suspected IPOB/ESN members numbering about ten were subdued by the superior fire power of the police which led to some of them sustaining bullet wounds while trying to run into the bush for cover.”

Upon interrogation, Ogbodo said the suspects disclosed the identity and location of their native doctor.

“The tactical operatives of the command stormed the native doctor’s house at Amanator Isu Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State and arrested five other persons trying to fortify themselves,” she stated.

The policed boss gave the names of the persons arrested as Emmanuel Edwin, Innocent Odii, Sunday Nwenne, Chika Ogad, Sunday Chukwu and Okonkwo Victor

“Exhibit recovered from them include one pump action gun, an AK-47 with breach no: 400557, nine rounds of 762x39mm Ak-47 live ammunition, 1 Toyota highlander jeep, 1 fireman sumac generator, 1 motorcycle and assorted criminal charms,” said Ogbodo.

In Enugu State, all businesses sealed for obeying the illegal Monday sit-at-home order would remain shut for one week, the state government said yesterday.

It also commended civil society organisations and residents for taking ownership of the ban on the illegal sit-at-home orders by embarking on peaceful demonstrations in the capital city on Monday.

Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, who made the announcement in a statement, said the businesses could only be reopened after the owners must have provided their current tax clearance certificates and all other relevant revenue documents.

The statement read: “In previous announcements to the good people and residents of Enugu State, government had directed business and shop owners to open for normal businesses on Monday and every work day, or have the defaulting business premises and shops sealed.

“That was exactly what the government did on Monday, July 24, 2023, to enforce its earlier directives.