News & Politics
#OyigboMassacre: All You Need to Know
In the course of the #EndSARS protests nationwide, Oyigbo, a local government area in Rivers State was attacked by suspected members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB). What Happened? On October 21st of October, ‘hoodlums’ attacked three police stations and some other facilities in Oyigbo. The Nigerian Army deployed to safeguard residents have been […]
In the course of the #EndSARS protests nationwide, Oyigbo, a local government area in Rivers State was attacked by suspected members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).
What Happened?
On October 21st of October, ‘hoodlums’ attacked three police stations and some other facilities in Oyigbo. The Nigerian Army deployed to safeguard residents have been accused of extrajudicial killings.
Identity of ‘Hoodlums’ & Casualties
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Joseph Mukan identified attackers as members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), a group seeking to form an independent Biafra state. The recent attack led to the death of three policemen and police stations: Sunday Dubon, an inspector attached to the anti-kidnapping unit and Swawale Ornan, a sergeant attached to 19 Police Mobile Force on Special Duty at Oyigbo were both burnt alive while Umunna Uchechukwu, a sergeant with Afam police station, had his legs and hand cut off before burning to death.
They launched senseless and mindless attacks on the area command, Oyigbo, and Afam police stations, and burnt down the three stations. They also went to the adjoining Eberi-Omuma local government area, where they attacked the Umuebulu police station. In all the attacks, several vehicles were burnt and three policemen were hacked to death and burnt to ashes.
Government Actions
Following the attack, Governor Wike imposed a curfew on specific areas including Mile 1, Mile 2, Emenike, Ikowu, and Iloabuchi areas of Port-Harcourt Local Government Area as well Oil Mill area of Obi-Akpor Local Government Area. The curfew was later lifted excluding Oyigbo Local Government Area where the attack occurred. An executive order was later signed to reinforce the ban on the Indigenous Peoples Organization of Biafra (IPOB) and its activities. Stanley Mgbere, a supposed leader of IPOB in the state is wanted over the violence in Oyigbo with a N50 million bounty attached to him.
The current State of Oyigbo
For over two weeks residents of Oyigbo have not had access to water, food, medicare, and light. Media organizations were also barred from accessing the community. Despite the presence of the Nigerian Army, the crises there have only been exacerbated by extrajudicial killings. The death toll is currently pegged at over a hundred.
https://twitter.com/EmekaGift/status/1323149207642005505?s=20
https://twitter.com/call_me_dhamaka/status/1323167001880236033?s=20
IPOB, which wants an independent Biafra country has been declared by the Nigerian government as a terrorist organization.
