Armed ViolenceNews

Arewa Community Demands Compensation Over Suspected IPOB Attack

The Arewa community in Abia State has demanded compensation for its members killed and properties destroyed by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba, Abia State, Southeast Nigeria.

The group claimed that five of its members were killed and many injured by suspected IPOB separatist agitators in Aba, the commercial centre of Abia State.

It said during the attack, properties worth millions of naira were burnt or destroyed by suspected members of the group following the #EndSARS protest in the town.

Sabi’u Ibrahim, an Arewa community member, told HumAngle that the suspected IPOB members carrying guns stormed their area, burnt over 30 lorries, killed five people, and injured many others.

An unverified video shows the gunmen heading to the area some moments before the attack. Other videos and photographs circulating online show properties being burnt down and people hiding in nearby bushes.

Photo: The suspected gunmen before the attack
Photo: The suspected gunmen before the attack

“Lives and properties were lost.

“We are calling on the government to investigate and compensate the victims of the attack,” he said.

Ibrahim said a delegation from the Abia State Government visited the area after the attack and urged the affected community for calm, but no further action had been taken so far.

He called on the state governments in Northern Nigeria to intervene and pressure the Abia State Government to ensure justice is served.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State had imposed a 24-hour curfew on the Aba but later relaxed it from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. following the outbreak of violence in the city.

The president through his spokesman, Garba Shehu, urged for calm.

“The right of all citizens to live and work in any part of the country is a constitutional right and will be defended by the government,” Shehu said.

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari had “condemned hate messages and eviction notices to ethnic and religious groups” and asked, “Nigerians to take pride in the fact that our diverse people have been living with one another in harmony for ages.”

Summary not available.


Support Our Journalism

There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.

To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.

Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.

Donate Here

Of course, we want our exclusive stories to reach as many people as possible and would appreciate it if you republish them. We only ask that you properly attribute to HumAngle, generally including the author's name, a link to the publication and a line of acknowledgement. Contact us for enquiries or requests.

Contact Us

Aliyu Dahiru

Aliyu is an Assistant Editor at HumAngle and Head of the Radicalism and Extremism Desk. He has years of experience researching misinformation and influence operations. He is passionate about analysing jihadism in Africa and has published several articles on the topic. His work has been featured in various local and international publications.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Translate »