Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Intelligent Response Team (IRT) on Monday, arrested five newspaper vendors in Owerri for allegedly promoting activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
When contacted, the Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr Abutu Yaro, confirmed the arrest but noted that the operatives were not from his command.
One of the arrested vendors, Onyebuchi Iwundu told newsmen at a police station that the IRT operatives arrested them at Rotibi Street, a popular newspaper circulation street off Douglas Road in the early hours of Monday.
Iwundu said they were accused of circulating and promoting activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He alleged that they were manhandled before being taken to the police station for detention.
The vendor also alleged that the operatives confiscated their papers and money, adding that they had been warned not to circulate newspapers that promote IPOB’s activities.
He listed others arrested alongside with him as Isinwa Blessing, Nelson, Michael and Sakatan.
The circulation Manager of New Telegraph Newspaper, Mr Chuck Ugwuibe, was arrested on May 4 at Banana Junction in Orlu.
He has been in police custody since then.
