Tag: IPOB

Owerri Troops of Operation Udoka have raided a suspected camp of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Ezioha forest, Mbaitoli local government area of Imo State and exhumed three corpses.

The Commander of 34 Artillery, Obinze, Brig-Gen. Usman Lawal announced this to journalists on Saturday in the state.

He said the forest which bordered Oru East, Njaba, and Mbaitoli LGAs was used for torturing kidnapped persons.

Read Also: NFIU exposes financing channels of IPOB, terror groups

The camp, according to him, was controlled by one B44, a suspected IPOB commander in the state.

Lawal said: “Three corpses were exhumed from a shallow grave in the forest while several car number plates, vehicle particulars, car keys, and personal belongings believed to be properties of kidnapped victims were recovered in the operation.”

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has unveiled the financing of terrorist organizations, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), through crowdfunding, betting platforms, and online transfers.

This revelation is contained in a recent newsletter published by the NFIU’s Counter Financing of Terrorism Department.

The NFIU identified a vast network of IPOB affiliates spread across 22 countries.

These affiliates, primarily Nigerians residing abroad, have registered at least 27 entities under the IPOB name, with the US and UK leading the pack at 7 and 6 registrations respectively. 

The newsletter said NFIU analysis further exposed a concerning financial structure. IPOB maintains bank accounts internationally, receiving funds from various sources disguised as “Monthly Dues, Services and for ESN” (Eastern Security Network, IPOB’s armed wing). These funds are then disbursed to finance their operations. 

The report highlights crowdfunding as a major source of income for IPOB, with over $160,000 being funnelled to transmission, media, and broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the UK. 

Read Also: Military eliminates 20 IPOB/ESN terrorists

The NFIU analysis identified, “the leader’s addresses and mobile numbers abroad, along with information on 53 other individuals associated with the group.  These findings have been forwarded to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.”

There are broader terrorist financing tactics beyond IPOB. One example involves a betting platform, simply identified as ‘XC’, which filed a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) on a customer suspected of money laundering.

“This 24-year-old from Nigeria’s North-Central region received over N350,000 in his betting wallet, believed to be ransom money from a kidnapping.”

Another case exposed a terrorist attempting to evade detection. This individual made structured cash withdrawals from different ATMs, purchased flight tickets to high-risk areas using credit cards (transactions declined due to exceeding limits), and then used alternative methods to travel.

“The terrorist then attempted suspicious transfers exceeding €1,000 to a local charity with potential links to terrorism. These transactions, along with others for luxury goods and escort services, raised red flags” the newsletter stated

The NFIU report identified key indicators of terrorist financing and urged law enforcement agencies to investigate: transactions by individuals linked to known terrorists or financiers; unauthorized tax collection or forced donations in terrorism-prone areas; and Bureau de Change operators facilitating transfers within suspected networks.

Other red flags are multiple cash deposits into bank accounts to avoid scrutiny; POS operators receiving large deposits followed by cash withdrawals for unidentified individuals; money transfers from Nigeria to high-risk countries for suspicious purchases; recruitment of individuals to open multiple bank accounts; and financial transfers to charities linked to terrorism.

Terrorist financing the NFIU said remains a critical security concern in Nigeria. The report underscores the need for a multi-pronged approach to addressing the root causes of terrorism; strengthening border controls; enhancing transparency and accountability in financial transactions and fostering international cooperation to combat terrorism financing.

By taking these steps, the NFIU said it believes Nigeria can disrupt the flow of funds to terror groups like IPOB and Boko Haram, promoting peace and stability within the nation and the wider region.

The Combined troops of Operation UDO KA, have eliminated 20 IPOB/ESN terrorists and destroyed their command centre in Mother Valley, Orsu Local Government Area of Imo.

The operation was conducted together with the police, civil defence and Department of State Services personnel.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, that the operation was held on March 7.

Buba said the troops destroyed about 50 tents, the terrorists Supreme Headquarters, Command and Control Centre, and their Military Council Headquarters.

Other structures destroyed include the terrorists residences, office, logistic base, temple and shrine.

According to him, the camp has been well concealed with foliage that affords the criminals cover from air surveillance.

Buba said the camp also had sufficient power supply, and several farms and livestock to sustain the terrorists.

“During the operations, troops also encountered several command IEDs and ditches along the axis to the camp.

“All were detonated and ditches covered with excavator before reaching the camp.

“The location is identified to be the supreme headquarters, command and control centre as well as the Military Council Headquarters of IPOB/ESN.

Read Also: IPOB denies involvement in Imo camp attack

“Following a fire fight, troops neutralised 20 terrorists and recovered several quantities of assorted weapons such as G3 rifles, AK47 rifles,  auto pump action guns, double barrel guns,  locally made pistols and RPG bombs,” he said.

The Defence spokesman said the troops also recovered 226 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 216 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 172 live cartridges, four AK47 magazines and three G3 magazines.

Others are several quantities IEDs, POS devices, baofeng radios, mobile phones, CCTV cameras, inverter and batteries, and Biafra flags, among others.

Buba said that the shrine at the camp was littered with shallow graves indicative of ritual killings.

“The ritual killings at the camp accounts for the several cases of missing persons in the region.

“The recovered items are being processed and analysed for their intelligence value.

“Nevertheless, troops are sustaining the momentum and going in pursuit of the terrorist and their cohorts, dislodging them from their enclaves,” he added.

(NAN)

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied claims that its Eastern Security Network (ESN) was involved in a criminal infiltrator’s camp attack in Imo State. 

The joint military operations claimed they destroyed IPOB/ESN alleged Supreme Headquarters in Imo where they recovered bombs and ammunition. 

Read Also: Troops kill scores of IPOB/ESN members in Anambra

In a statement on Saturday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB maintained the alleged criminals were not members of ESN but infiltrators recruited and funded by a double agent in Finland, Simon Ekpa.

 IPOB further stated that the struggle for Biafra freedom is a responsible movement adding that IPOB and ESN are in the forefront fighting terror and criminalities in Biafra Land. 

The Nigerian Army says troops on operations in southeast have killed one Indigenous people of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB//ESN) fighter an “intense firefight in their enclave at Ihiteukwa community in Orsu local government area of Imo state.

It said troops also recovered three Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), one Toyota Highlander SUV, one Hilux vehicle, Biafra currency large cache of arms and ammunition, among others, in the operation that was conducted on Saturday, March 2.

Read Also: IPOB denies existence of ESN camps in Southeast

According to a statement by an Army spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Sunday, March 3, troops also conducted a similar clearance operation at a suspected IPOB/ESN crossing point in Akawa Nneato general area of Umunneochi local government area of Abia state.

Nwachukwu said during the operation, troops engaged the terrorists in a firefight which resulted to the terrorists scampering in disarray into nearby bushes.

The army spokesperson said when the troops exploited the bush after the shootout, they recovered one AK-47 Rifle loaded with 19 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, two empty magazines and one FN Rifle loaded with four rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.

Nwachukwu said: “In another development, troops operating in the Kawara general area of Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State have cleared and destroyed a series of terrorists’ camps in the area.

“During the operation, troops recovered three motorbikes, one PKT Gun link containing 246 rounds of 7.62mm by 39mm ammunition, one woodland camouflage and a pair of Desert boots. Other items recovered include 3 magazine carriers and one Boafeng Radio.”

He said troops had dominated the general area and conduct further exploits in pursuit of the insurgents.

The people of Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government of Anambra State have called on Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lawyer to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to desist from fuelling insecurity in the area.

President General of the community, Sir Vin Dike, who addressed reporters at Oraifite Civic Centre on behalf of the town, urged Ejiofor, one of their kinsmen, to return home and assist the community to restore peace and tranquility it had enjoyed over the years.

Dike refuted Ejiofor’s alleged assassination plot against him by Sir Emeka Offor, a businessman and kinsman.

Ejiofor had last week raised the alarm over Offor’s plan to kill him, using one of his relatives.

Ejiofor, in a statement titled: ‘Plot to assassinate me leaked’, told Nigerians and security agencies that the threat, which he described as real, should not be treated with kid gloves.

But speaking to reporters after a meeting with leaders and stakeholders in the area, Dike described Offor as God’s gift to the community, saying it was an aberration for him to kill one of his philanthropic beneficiaries.

He said: “I’m sure you’ve read the assassination allegations trending on social media. Just yesterday, there was a report that he has written a petition to the IG, governor and others that Emeka Offor has been trying to kill him.

 “It may shock you to know that Ejiofor is a beneficiary of Emeka Offor’s free education. That’s something you don’t read in the papers. Ejiofor, on completing his high school, was picked up by Emeka Offor Foundation.

“All through his university years, up to Law School and NYSC, Emeka Offor took care of him. He didn’t only pull him out from somewhere in the North he was posted to and reposted him to Abuja, he was also placed in one of the most respected law firms in Nigeria.

“He won’t tell you that after God, and maybe his parents, the next person on his lips at all times will be Emeka Offor for training him and making him a lawyer he is today. Of course, Emeka Offor doesn’t even remember that he trained him.

“Yet what you read in the news about Oraifite is always negative – assassination, kidnapping, murder. But there’s this human side of our community which Emeka Offor represents. He assists everyone regardless of who you are.

“Emeka Offor is God-sent to Oraifite. If I say in the next world, he’ll come to Oraifite, this will not be an overstatement. In other words, if there’s reincarnation, our prayer is that he’ll come back to Oraifite because nobody has blessed this town in the history of this town than Emeka Offor.

Read Also: We don’t have camps in Okigwe, says IPOB

“Unfortunately, the same person made by Emeka Offor is busy tarnishing his image and at the same time encouraging insecurity and criminality in this community.

“We’re begging him to stop and return home so we can appease the gods. Oraifite is a peaceful community, with kind and loving people, including Emeka Offor. But he’s running from his shadows. Truth is that a man can’t outrun his shadows.

“We’ve not taken any decision on him yet because we want the law to take its course. Meanwhile, Emeka Offor has not lost sleep as far as Ejiofor’s threats are concerned.”

The traditional ruler of Oraifite, Igwe Dan Udorji, said his community is blessed with people of peace, including Emeka Offor, who he described as the best thing that had happened to the town, state and Nigeria.

He, however, regretted the ingratitude disposition of some members of his community to Offor’s benevolence, calling on all and sundry to defend him from all forms of attack.

“It’s not only when we need him that we run to him. But when he’s in trouble, and under attack, we should rally round him. This is the least we can do for him because we can’t reward him for his philanthropy,” he said.

Ejiofor dismissed the accusations against him.

He described his accusers as Emeka Offor’s puppets, who he handpicked for his selfish interests and personal bidding, insisting they did not represent the voice of Oraifite community.

He said no criminal record could be associated with his name in Oraifite and elsewhere, adding that his offence was his effrontery to challenge “Offor’s atrocious acts” in the community.

Saying he had petitioned Inspector General of Police, DSS and Army headquarters over the attacks and consistent threats to his life, Ejiofor, however, regretted that nothing had been done about his complaints.