The Nigeria Police today defended its clampdown of Biafra activists across Igbo land, accusing them of inciting violence. Biafra activists profess non-violence and MASSOB, in particular, has non-violence as part of its motto.

Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. ACP Olabisi Kolawole, confirmed the arrest of 22 separatists, disclosing that the clampdown followed an order by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, for “an immediate clamp down on person or group of persons inciting violence and social disorder across the country.”

ACP Kolawole said in a statement: “This directive becomes imperative owing to recent activities of members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafran (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in some parts of the country.

“This operational order empowers the police to arrest anybody fomenting any act of violence or disorder, or any act inimical to the security of the nation. So far the following arrest have been made viz; Anambra State – 4; Imo State – 6 ; Delta State – 11 and Abia State – 1.

“The IGP further warns that all persons so arrested for inciting violence, irrespective of their class or status in the society would be charged to court accordingly.”

•Photo shows IGP Arase.