IPOB warns David Umahi, other S’East governors over plot to attack ESN

Says ESN not against law abiding citizens

Maduako Igbokwe l Monday, December 28, 2020

 

ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – The Indigenous People of Biafra has warned  South- Eastern Governors not to work against its newly launched security outfit – the Eastern Security Network. IPOB accused the governors of inciting the army and others against ESN. 

The group in a statement issued by IPOB’s  Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, warned the governors to desist from such act or be prepared to face catastrophic consequences.

The secessionist group also warned local vigilantes in the zone set up by state governors not to allow themselves to be used to carry out what it called evil agenda or have themselves to blame. It said  that both the governors and community leaders would be held responsible for any form of attack on any of its  security personnel.

IPOB advised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to stop dissipating energy on stopping ESN, instead should channel their strength against Boko Haram, bandits and  terrorists rampaging the North.

The pro-Biafran group maintained that ESN was not a Biafran Army but a  vigilante group set up to defend the people of the old Eastern region against terrorists and criminals responsible for the growing insecurity in the region.

The statement partly read, “Through Intelligence gathering, it has come to the knowledge of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, under the command of our Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, that the  governors of the old Eastern Region, are now recruiting traditional rulers, Presidents-General and politicians to mobilise some local vigilantes to engage  ESN in their various localities.

“The game plan is to orchestrate crisis between the vigilante groups and ESN to pave the way for Nigeria soldiers to attack ESN personnel.

” We therefore, wish to warn all local vigilantes in every state of Biafra who have been or may be contacted or are being recruited  by the masterminds of this evil agenda through the traditional rulers and Presidents General of any community or town in Biafraland to attack ESN operatives  to have a rethink. Embarking on such unholy mission is suicidal.

“Anyone, vigilante group, community, traditional ruler or President General, political elite or anybody under any guise who will connive with the enemy to expose or attack ESN in their locality will live in eternal regret of such satanic mission. It’s not a threat but a promise.

“Is it not ridiculous and stupid that these bunch of people  who could not mobilise in search of  terrorists maiming and raping women in their communities, destroying their crops and slaughtering them like cows, are now mobilising to go after ESN – a security outfit established to protect Biafrans against the Invaders?

“Instead of mobilising to stop those on a mission to takeover their ancestral lands these people without any modicum of shame are busy conniving with the enemies of Biafra to sabotage ESN – their only defence line and last hope of survival. We want to make it clear that leaders of any community in Biafra land where any ESN personnel is attacked will pay dearly for such attack.

“In the same way, the governor of any state where the security outfit is attacked shall also be held responsible. Any traditional ruler, PG and vigilante group who collaborate with the Nigeria military to attack ESN operatives should be prepared to bear the bitter consequences of his treachery.

“ESN is not after law-abiding citizens but criminals. Members of the outfit have not molested any law abiding citizens but have remained in the forests to rid our land of terrorists and ensure our farms are safe again for our people to resume farming activities”

They have done nothing to warrant any attack more so when the real terrorists and bandits are still killing and maiming innocent locals daily unchallenged by the highly compromised security agencies.

“ESN is a child of necessity which has come to stay. The failure of governors from the South-East and South-South to float a regional security outfit to protect the people against terrorists gave birth to ESN to do what the cowardly governors have failed to do.  It’s the people’s movement and no amount of sabotage can stop it. Anyone standing in its way shall be crushed.

“We specifically warn Gov Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State not to push us any further against the wall. We have tolerated his madness enough. His kinsmen and friends should advise him to stop courting the wrath of IPOB because he doesn’t have the dancing steps of the music he wants to play.

“He cannot sacrifice Biafran freedom on the altar of his imaginary Presidential ambition. Umahi must retrace his steps now and not test our resolve to protect our land.”

When contacted, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, John Abang, said he would not want to speak on the matter.

He said,” What is IPOB? I don’t know them; I’m not their PRO. Go and ask them what they meant by IPOB security outfit?. Any group or  outfit not recognised by our laws is illegal and  is an aberration, “he said.