IPOB to security agencies: We don’t have camps in Okigwe
Joseph Irikefe
Contrary to the claims from the Nigeria Police, Imo State command that they have cleared the camps belonging to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its arms wing Eastern Security Network (ESN), the pro-Biafra agitators said it has no camps in Umulolo at Okigwe and Owerri environs of Imo State.
Recall that the Army had accused the group of cannibalism, saying its troops stormed their camps at Okigwe where they recovered arms and dead bodies, reports The Nation.
However, in a statement yesterday by the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, the group said it has no such camps at Okigwe in Imo State.
The statement read in part: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wishes to debunk the fallacious claims from the Nigeria Police, Imo State command that they have cleared the camp of IPOB/ESN operatives in Umulolo at Okigwe and Owerri environs of Imo State.
“The Nigerian government and her security agencies cannot continue to claim ignorance of IPOB’s repeated disassociation with the criminals operating around the Okigwe and Owerri axis. We understand that the Nigerian Police are working with the agent provocateurs to blackmail IPOB. But we are always ahead of their games.
“In our previous press releases, we have called out the criminals and agent provocateurs heavily funded by some politicians and businessmen and women, who operate camps at Umulolo and other parts of Okigwe LGA in Imo State.
“We have publicly condemned the camp and activities of the criminals working with the government’s double agent in Finland.
“For emphasis’s sake, ESN does not have any camp at the following communities; Okigwe, Mbaitolu, Arondizogu, Orsuihiteukwa, Ihitenansa Imo State. Also, we do not have camps in Orsumoghu, Lilu, Ukpor, Ezinifite Nnewi, Unubi, Akwaihedi, Umunze, Isseke, Mbosi, Ihiala, Azia, Okija, and Uga Anambra State.
“Any group operating any camp in these areas and communities are not ESN Operatives. They are either organised criminal gangs or agent provocateurs working with the government’s double agent in Finland. The Nigerian government and her security agencies know the truth but chose to blackmail IPOB/ESN.
“ESN Operatives do not engage in criminal activities and do not operate indiscriminate camps. ESN Operatives specialise in pursuing Fulani bandits nicknamed herdsmen. ESN operatives are disciplined and focused on protecting Biafrans against Fulani terrorists invasion under the guise of the terrorist herdsmen.”