The suspected leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Rivers State wanted by the State Government has denied any wrongdoing.
Accused of being behind the violence witnessed in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area, Mr Stanley Mgbere says he is not even a member of the proscribed group.
Governor Nyesom Wike had ordered security agencies to fish Mgbere out, promising to reward N50 Million to anyone who could give useful information that would lead to the arrest of the suspected IPOB leader.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State had also banned any form of procession, agitation, or related activities of the secessionist group, taking a further step to warn council chairmen of possible sanctions if IPOB flag or insignia were found in their domain.
But in a Facebook post, while admitting he was a participant of the #EndSARS protest, Mgbere pleaded with the governor not to listen to the “lies” officials were telling him, insisting that “my hands are clean”.
This is what he said: “What happened in Onne was a peaceful protest and it was not done by only the community; it was done by Nigerians.
But at the end, they said I am a member of IPOB. I am not a member of IPOB. I am a full indigene of Onne clan, which everybody knows.
“I am not aware of what they are saying and I am not aware of what they are telling the governor.
Please, at this very moment, I am begging the governor not to listen to anything they are telling him because they are all lies.
“I beg on the masses and beg everybody to share this video because my hands are clean.
I know what I am facing right now, but I will never give up. Thank you very much and God bless you all.”
The Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, said the violence in Rivers led to the death of three police officers, the burning down of three police stations and vandalisation of one.
Mukan gave the names of the slain officers as Inspector Sunday Dubon, Sergeant Swawale Ornan and Sergeant Umunna Uchechukwu.
