Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has refuted claims by security agencies that the Eastern Security Network, ESN, in operates a camp at Okigwe and Amangwu Ohafia community.
The rebuttal is coming less than four days the military raided Amangwu Ohafia community in search of unknown gunmen allegedly operating in the area.
No fewer than 10 persons were reported killed and scores missing during the raid.
Several houses were also said to have been razed by the invaders but a military source denied that innocent locals were killed, saying only shrines used by the hoodlums were destroyed.
Distancing itself from the said hoodlums, IPOB in a press statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said ESN never had any camp in the community.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “ESN has no camp at Okigwe in Imo State and Amangwu, Ohafia LGA, Abia State.
“Since ESN was formed and up to now, we have never had any camp at Okigwe and Amangwu Ohafia. Any group operating from any camp within Okigwe and Amangwu Ohafia axes are not ESN operative.
“Therefore, let nobody associate IPOB and ESN with the actions and activities of any criminal gangs in any camp at Okigwe and Amangwu, Ohafia LGA.
“IPOB leadership knows all the ESN camps and ESN is secure in their various camps and locations within Biafra territories.
“Those relocating from Orsumoghu forest to Okigwe bushes are state sponsored gangs who are part of the insecurity going on in our region.”
IPOB warned those impersonating ESN to discontinue or be ready to face the music.
“Those impersonating IPOB and ESN operatives and committing crimes should stop or be ready to pay a heavy price. Those criminal gangs who are kidnapping and snatching cars are our enemies who are frustrating Biafra restoration.”
The pro-Biafra movement said that its major preoccupation was how to secure the release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; and restore peace in the South-East.
It warned against associating it with criminals elements apparently to discredit the movement.
“What we want is peace in Biafra region and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whom the courts and UN working group have ordered for his immediate unconditional release because he has been discharged and acquitted of all charges against him.”
IPOB renewed its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Kanu who it said had been discharged and acquitted of all counts of terrorism charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.
“Nigeria Government should release him without further delay because this case will destroy Nigeria the more they continue to detain him.”
