Tag: IPOB

Imo State witnessed a significant shutdown on Monday as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) began its two-day sit-at-home protest with public institutions, markets and businesses closed in major cities like Owerri, Orlu, and Okigwe.

The usually bustling streets, including Douglas, Bank and Wetheral roads, were eerily empty with some areas converted into makeshift playgrounds.

A trader at Owerri Main Market lamented: “IPOB’s sit-at-home order has disrupted our businesses, and we hope the issues are resolved soon.” 

Many residents stayed indoors, while few buses plied the empty roads.

Despite the shutdown, the Imo State Government insisted that civil servants reported to work. 

Read Also: Police to Southeast residents: ignore two-day sit-at-home directive

Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Public Orientation, Chief Declan Emelumba, stated: “Government workers are in their offices today, and the police and other security agencies are providing security for the people.”

However, the situation on the ground told a different story, as many government offices were reportedly empty.

Sources told the Nation at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri few workers who reported to duty in the morning left hurriedly for fear of the unknown. Some offices were locked.

Security agencies however deployed personnel to maintain law and order, as their vehicles were seen patrolling major roads and flashpoints.

Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma assured residents that his Command would provide visibility policing starting October 19 through October 23. 

Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), attached to the Aba Area Command yesterday embarked on a show of force operation within the commercial city and its environs.

The NPF personnel team made up of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and among other units of the Nigeria Police under Aba Area Command assembled at the Aba Area Command premises before they left the command headquarters in a convoy on for the show of force exercise.

Our correspondent reports that the show of force could not have been unconnected to the two days sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), warning residents and visitors of the southeast to stay away from their business premises and offices on tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday.

The Nation reports that the show of force exercise saw the police team move round some of the strategic locations including identified black spots within the commercial city.

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Our correspondent gathered that the show was a routine confidence patrol exercise which the police carry out once in a while.

It was gathered that the choice of Saturday was to assure Aba residents of their safety following the social media threat by the IPOB.

The exercise, later terminated at the Aba Area Command at about 12noon.

Police operatives in Anambra State have successfully thwarted a kidnapping attempt on a foreign national by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

During the operation, two police officers were injured in a gunfight with the kidnappers at Ogbunka, in Orumba South Local Government Area.

The state’s police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, adding that a manhunt for the secessionists is ongoing.

“The Operatives courageously engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle and saved the VIP.

“Unfortunately, during the gun duel, two Police Operatives who were hit by bullet escaped with the foreigner. They are stable and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

Read Also: Joint security task force kill IPOB/ESN member in shootout in Imo

“Meanwhile, Operations are ongoing in the area for the possible arrest of the armed men,” Ikenga said

Meanwhile, The Nation reported on Thursday that three gunmen were killed by the police in Onitsha, and one suspect escaped.

A resident disclosed to The Nation that the suspects attempted to steal a red Toyota Corolla on Ibekwe Street in Onitsha, unaware that their intended victims were policemen.

The eyewitness said: “Immediately they brought out their guns, the policemen being professionals, took them down.

“The boys tried to block the police vehicle without knowing they were security operatives. Their cup was full” the source said

One of the senior Police Officers who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident to The Nation, saying, “Our men are on the trail of the remaining suspect and their associates.

The Nigerian Army has asked Amnesty International (AI) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take “immediate action” and hold the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its sponsor, Simon Ekpan, accountable for crime against civilians in the southeast Nigeria.

It said the international community must condemn the mistreatment “in the strongest terms” of an unarmed and law-abiding citizen by IPOB in the region.

The army made the call in a statement by its spokesman, Maj-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, on Sunday, September 15, while reacting to a viral video that showed IPOB members torturing an ex-soldier of the Nigerian Army.

The statement read: “The Nigerian Army has taken serious note of a disturbing video circulating online, posted by the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of IPOB, Simon Ekpa. In the appalling footage, an ex-soldier, Corporal Toriola Adewale, who honourably retired from the Nigerian Army six years ago, was subjected to brutal torture by the so-called IPOB/ Biafra Liberation Army.

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“He was also forced to deliver coerced messages to active military personnel, urging them to abdicate their constitutional responsibilities and abandon their duties. This defenceless citizen was further compelled to falsely claim he was treated well while being held captive.

“It must be unequivocally stated that the claim by IPOB and its terrorist leader that ex-corporal Toriola is still serving in the Nigerian Army is far from the truth. This outrageous propaganda by the IPOB terrorist group is undoubtedly an attempt to justify their savage mistreatment of an unarmed, law-abiding citizen who served his country meritoriously. Such dehumanizing acts must be condemned in the strongest terms by the international community.

“The Nigerian Army therefore urges all Nigerians to disregard this malicious video and stand united against the vile acts of terrorism perpetrated against Nigerians, and particularly, the good and law-abiding people of South East Nigeria by IPOB terrorists. It is no gainsaying that an overwhelming majority of Nigerians in the South East and across the nation have already rejected the criminal propaganda spread by IPOB.

“The savage treatment of innocent citizens like ex-corporal Toriola and other law-abiding Nigerians must not be treated with levity. We call on all relevant international organizations, including Amnesty International and the International Criminal Court, to take immediate action and hold Simon Ekpa and other IPOB terrorist elements accountable for these heinous crimes.”

According to the statement, the army and other security agencies had recently intensified operations to fight terrorism and insurgency in the Southeast and other parts of the country.

It added: “The recent annihilation of key terrorist leaders in identified terrorists’ strongholds is indicative of this commitment.

“The villainous acts of terror by Simon Ekpa and his accomplices must come to an end, as justice will soon catch up with them. They can run, but they can’t hide forever.”

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly condemned the Nigerian Army’s recent actions in Ogbaru, Anambra State, where innocent villagers were murdered, doused with inflammable substances, and set ablaze.

“This is the lowest of the lowest. The Nigerian army has degenerated into a bunch of terrorists in army uniform,” said Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary.

The IPOB described the Nigerian Army’s actions as “barbaric and inhumane” and accused them of using tactics typical of terror groups.

“The Nigerian military invaded some communities in Ogbaru, burnt down some houses, murdered and burnt the bodies of some innocent, peaceful civilians without provocation. This is a classic modus operandi of terror groups,” Powerful said.

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The IPOB called for an investigation into the Nigerian Army’s actions and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice.

“The barbaric murder and burning of the lifeless bodies of innocent Ogbaru people by the Nigerian Army must be investigated, and the barbarians and the terrorists within the Nigerian military that carried out the dastardly act brought to justice,” Powerful said.

The IPOB also warned the Nigerian government that its actions could lead to a repeat of the past and called for a peaceful referendum to allow Biafrans to exit Nigeria.

“The earlier that the Nigeria government organised a referendum for Biafrans to exit Nigeria in peace, the better, in order to avoid the repeat of the past,” Powerful said.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied planning to attack Imo State workers, contradicting claims made by the Imo State Police Commissioner, Aboki Danjuma.

It would be recalled that the Commissioner on Thursday had alleged that IPOB had planned to attack workers, prompting him to increase security at the Federal and State secretariats.

However, IPOB dismissed this claim in a statement on Friday, saying it has no intention of imposing hardship on the people.

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“We did not issue any threat and will never issue any threat to our people,” IPOB said. “We cannot punish ourselves; IPOB are the people, and the people are IPOB.”

IPOB accused the Commissioner of misinforming the public and urged Ndigbo to disregard his propaganda.

“We did not issue any threat and will never issue any threat to our people. IPOB can never impose any hardship on our people by issuing a one-month lockdown. IPOB are the people, and the people are IPOB; therefore, we cannot punish ourselves,” said Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary.

IPOB challenged the Police Commissioner to provide evidence of the alleged threat, instead accusing the Nigerian Government’s agent in Finland of issuing the threat.

“The Nigerian government and her security Forces are the sponsors of insecurity in the East. They are working together with their agent in Finland to blackmail IPOB,” Powerful said.

IPOB called on Ndigbo to disregard the Police Commissioner’s propaganda and any purported lockdown, urging them to cooperate with IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to secure their land from sponsored criminals.

“We are urging all workers and businessmen in the East not to succumb to threats from criminals working with the Nigerian Police. The essence of the threat is to extort money from the people,” Powerful said.

Joint security forces in Anambra State have apprehended a pastor who was allegedly preparing charms for members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other criminals terrorizing Uga, Ekwulobia, and surrounding communities.

According to the police, the suspects were involved in car theft, kidnappings, and armed robbery across Aguata local government area, including Umuchu, Nkpologwu, and Ezinifite.

The operation, which involved the police, military, civil defence, and other security agencies, led to the arrest of two notorious members of the secessionist group.

Read Also: Abia traditional ruler dissociates community From IPOB

In a statement released Friday, August 23, the state police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the suspects’ involvement in various criminal activities in the region.

Ikenga said: “Among the two suspects’ names withheld, one has bullet wounds on his leg while the other a fake pastor preparing criminal charms for the gang members has confessed to the crime and is already assisting the Police in apprehending other gang members.

“The suspects have also provided information on the location of the shrine where they prepare the charms and some snatched vehicles.

“The Commissioner Of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has assured Ndi Anambra that the Command is working tirelessly on all reported cases especially incidents of kidnap, armed robbery, and otherwise, as the trust bestowed on us for the protection of life and properties is not taken for granted.”

An Abia revered traditional ruler and the Enachioken of Abiriba Ancient Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Kalu K. Ogbu (IV) has distanced his community from reports that they harbor the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in their community.

Eze Ogbu who was speaking at the 2024 traditional Iburu Omu ceremony, where the king and his council members make laws that will govern the people in the next one year, described the community as peaceful and law-abiding.

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According to the traditional ruler, Abiriba has never been an enclave of the IPOB and urged the federal and state government and the general public to disregard any report that the community harbours or shields IPOB/ESN from security agencies.

The Abiriba monarch, who also expressed worries over the growing trend of teenage pregnancy in the community, decreed that the community would no longer condone pregnancy out of wedlock and added that anyone who impregnated any woman in the community and refused to perform her traditional marriage rites would be ostracized from the community.