The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has countered report of the Nigerian army arresting an Eastern Security Network top commander.
Recall that the Nigerian Army said earlier that it arrested one Awurum Eze, who is the second in command of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the security arm of the outlawed pro-Biafra group, IPOB.
Army Spokesperson said the 48-year-old man was arrested in Aba after initially escaping from intelligence Response Team (IRT) operatives who stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano on 4th of May 2021.
IPOB has however now reacted to the claim in a statement released on Thursday May 13. Spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful disclosed that the said man is not an operative of ESN.
According to Emma, such man is too old to be recruited into ESN, let alone be Ikonso’s Second in Command. He also said background checks revealed that the man had issues with his traditional ruler who gave his contact to the security agents, alleging that he belongs to ESN.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, read with utter amusement, media reports of claims by the Nigeria Army that it arrested Ikonso’s Second in Command in Aba. This is a blatant lie and cheap propaganda to lay false claims to imaginary military prowess.
“The said man is not an operative of ESN. Such a man is too old to be recruited into ESN, let alone be Ikonso’s Second in Command.
“That you ambushed Ikonso with the help of some traitors did not mean you have crushed ESN. Stop claiming what you have not done in your bid to win public accolades. If you arrest or kill Ikonso’s second in Command we will not hesitate to admit it just the same way we did not deny the murder of Ikonso. We are not like Nigeria that lives in propaganda; we tell the truth always. So, stop harassing innocent Biafrans in the name of a manhunt for ESN personnel.
“Our background check revealed that the said man had issues with his traditional ruler who gave his contact to the security agents alleging that he belongs to ESN. He is not our own.
“We are assuring them that whatever they do they cannot win ESN in this fight for freedom. The secret killing and abduction can never make IPOB change our resolve towards restoring Biafra as an independent nation.
“Again, we wish to remind Biafrans and the world, of a grand plot by the Nigeria security agencies to reduce the Biafra population through the ongoing secret abductions and killing of innocent Biafrans after tagging them IPOB and ESN members.
“This wicked plot which started in Imo State is now gaining momentum across the entire Biafra land through the collaboration of some traitors in the mould of Supreme Court administrator of Imo State Hope Uzodinma and his likes. Biafrans of all age brackets are now at the mercy of the double-faced Nigeria security agents as all they need to arrest and kill them off is to brand them ESN operative or sponsor.”