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Tag: IPOB

  • We don’t have camps in Okigwe, says IPOB

    We don’t have camps in Okigwe, says IPOB

    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.

    The Nation recalls that the Army had accused the group members of cannibalism saying its troops stormed their camps at Okigwe where they recovered arms and dead bodies.

    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.

    Read Also: Army accuses IPOB/ESN members of cannibalism

    “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, Arindizogu, 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.”

  • Ezendigbo plead non-membership of IPOB

    Ezendigbo plead non-membership of IPOB

    A Lagos State High Court presided over by Justice Yetunde Adesanya has recently heard an application filed by the defense counsel of Ezendigbo of Ajao Estate, Chief Frederick Nwajagu,  Chief Emefo Etudo over Chief Nwajagu non-membership of Indige nous People of Biafra (IPOB) at a sitting on his case at the Igbosere High Court in Lagos, Tafawa Balewa Square.

    Etudo argued the application on behalf of Chief Nwajagu before  Her Lord ship Justice Adesanya Yetunde. Nwajagu has been in detention since July 2023 due to issues relating to the 2023 General Elections, saying evidence against him was not sufficient to support his conviction.

    It will be recalled that Nwajagu was arrested following a midnight raid on his Lagos residence by operatives from the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged threat to invite Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to protect Igbos living in Lagos from political assaults and electoral violence arising from the 2023 Elections.

    Nwajagu was docked on April 5, 2023, before a Magistrate’s court on two counts of conspiracy and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace. He pleaded “Not Guilty” to the charge but was remanded in prison custody since then.

    Read Also: Babarians have taken over social media  – Soyinka

    Etudo, the lead counsel to the defendant assured the media in his brief but precise interview that the totality of evidence so far made him very confident as nothing incriminating was found against the defendant according to the PW2,  the police.

    With these, the lead counsel said bail for the defendant can be applied for in the course of the investigation, nothing incriminating was found against the defendant, and finding nothing incriminating against the defendant is the totality of the evidence.

    Etudo said that after a thorough search of Nwajagu’s house, it was revealed that Nwajagu has no connection with IPOB, and no uniform, flags, symbols, or membership card was found to address him as a terrorist.

    He thereafter appealed to the Lagos State Government through the High Court to temper justice with mercy since the IPO on the matter could not justify all allegations with concrete evidence against the defendant.

  • We will resist Myetti Allah’s nomad vigilante – IPOB

    We will resist Myetti Allah’s nomad vigilante – IPOB

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has faulted the vigilante group formed by Miyetti Allah, saying that it will resist its formation in Southeast and South South.

    The group noted that from the mission of the nomad vigilante group, it would work with the Nigerian security forces to secure and protect the country, and wondered why the nomad vigilante group noted for terrorist activities would secure and protect the people being terrorised by the same group.

    In a statement on Friday by the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group said “the idea of recruiting terrorists and bandits into what they branded as nomad vigilante is another strategy to ethnicize the entire Nigeria since RUGA has failed.

    The statement read:  “The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great prophet and liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu has been drawn to the launching of the so-called National Nomad Vigilante group by Miyetti Allah in Nasarawa State.

    Read Also: NCAA not relocating headquarters to Lagos, says Acting DG

    “IPOB is not against anyone, group, or ethnic groups for setting up vigilante groups to defend themselves since Nigeria’s security architecture has been heavily compromised and failed and infiltrated by terrorists and sponsors.

    “However, we are concerned about the code name and the stated mission behind the formation of the vigilante group formed by Miyetti Allah. From their stated mission, this nomad vigilante group formed by Miyetti Allah will work with the Nigerian Security Forces to secure and protect the country.

    “How can a known terrorist group that is terrorizing the entire country form a security outfit to secure the same people that they are terrorizing?

    IPOB recalled that the Miyetti Allah had proposed to form a nomad vigilante to operate across the entire states in Nigeria during the last administration.

    The group alleged that the new idea of recruiting terrorists and bandits into what they branded as nomad vigilantes “is another strategy to ethnicize the entire Nigeria since RUGA was defeated.”

    The group however warned Miyetti Allah to stay off every inch of Biafra territory with their nomad vigilante group.

  • Top IPOB/ESN commander held in Lagos

    Top IPOB/ESN commander held in Lagos

    The Police have arrested a top commander of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) who allegedly fled security operations in the eastern part of the country.

    The suspect identified as  Uchechi Eze, 43, alias Lion Heart, was apprehended around 7pm on Wednesday at Shibiri in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    It was gathered that Eze, alleged to be notorious in wearing military camouflage and known as the Operational Commander of the militias ESN across the southeast, was picked up by men of a special Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

    Sources told our reporter that the suspect has allegedly confessed to being the Operational Commander of IPOB/ESN terrorising Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi states, adding that he admitted leading gunmen who killed some state security operatives.

    He also allegedly confessed to having led armed men to burn police stations and government facilities.

    Read Also: Police bust IPOB/ESN camp

    It was alleged that the suspect also confessed he and his team murdered some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to retaliate against the killing of Ikonso, a former leader of the terror group.

    “On Wednesday night, Anti-kidnapping Unit revealed that it received reliable intelligence and a team led by a Chief Superintendent of Police, (CSP), Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, Commander Anti-kidnapping Unit went to Shibiri Ojo in Lagos State where one Uchechi Eze aka  Lion Heart, 43, from Imo State was arrested.

    “He is the Operational Commander of IPOB/ESN terrorists in the entire acclaimed  Biafra land. A search was executed in his hideout at Shibiri Ojo, Lagos state and two AK47 rifles, and 60 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.

    “He confessed to having been the Operational Commander of IPOB/ESN terrorising  Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi states including burning of all police stations, government facilities, killings of Nigeria government securities, including personnel of APC in the struggle to actualize the Biafra Republic and in revenge for the death of notorious late Ikonso the IPOB/ESN Zonal Operational Commander. “Investigation is in progress to track down his other fleeing members,” said a source.

  • Police, IPOB clash over murder allegations

    Police, IPOB clash over murder allegations

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a Biafran liberation agitation group, has refuted the Nigerian Police’s claim of their involvement in the murder of an Imo State monarch.

    The Nigerian Police claimed that some suspected IPOB members were involved in the murder of the traditional ruler of Otulu Community, Amaumara Mbaise, in Ezinihite Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Joe Ochulor.

    Eze Joe Ochulor, was killed on November 25, 2023. He was kidnapped by gunmen and later found dead along Mbutu Community road in the Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area

    The Nigerian Police accused IPOB of being responsible for the murder of the monarch, alleging that the group’s members were involved in the killing.

    IPOB, however, in a statement on Friday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful has denied any involvement in the incident and accused the police of fabricating stories to tarnish the group’s image.

    Read Also: Police nab IPOB/ESN commander, Imo monarch

    He said: “The police also alleged that one Chidiebere, an IT professional, was the mastermind behind the murder, as he had been hunted by both IPOB members and government agencies due to his IT expertise and information about the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) IRev in the last presidential election. And we ask, how does Chidiebere’s business concern IPOB?”

    IPOB spokesman refuted the police’s allegations, stating that they have nothing to do with the said Chidiebere and were not responsible for securing traditional rulers or engaging in political struggles, as the police claimed.

    He emphasized that they were a Biafran liberation agitation group, not a political organization, and questioned the police’s motives in linking them to the incident.

  • Kanu: IPOB calls for peace in Southeast

    Kanu: IPOB calls for peace in Southeast

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),   led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has called for peace in the Southeast, as they await Supreme Court’s judgment on December 15.

    Making the call yesterday in a statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the pro-separatist group advised people who believed in Kanu to remain calm, prayerful and law-abiding.

    “Every IPOB member should resist enemies of peace.  We encourage them to remain calm and prayerful as we wait for our leader, Mazi Kanu, to rejoin us on December 15 after the Supreme Court judgement,” he said.

    Read Also: One killed, others injured in Police, IPOB/ESN clash

    He noted that IPOB and Kanu had always been peaceful in their demands.

    He said IPOB had disassociated itself from any armed group while calling for the release of Kanu, who he said had not committed any crime locally or internationally.

    The IPOB spokesman appealed to the apex court justices to uphold the rule of law and free Kanu unconditionally for the sake of peace in the Southeast and Nigeria in general.

  • JUST IN: IPOB leader, Ekpa sabotaging our efforts in southeast – CDS tells Reps

    JUST IN: IPOB leader, Ekpa sabotaging our efforts in southeast – CDS tells Reps

    Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa said on Tuesday, November 21, that the activities of Simon Ekpa, one of the leaders of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) currently hiding in Finland were doing a lot of damage to the southeast region of the country.

    Gen. Musa, who alleged that Ekpa was being protected by Finland, said there was a need for the government to engage the government of Finland and possibly invite its ambassador to Nigeria.

    The Defence Chief was speaking when he led other Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police to appear before the House of Representatives at the commencement of its sectoral debate.

    Read Also: IPOB warns Anambra monarchs, others over Ojukwu’s “Ikemba Nnewi” title

    He said while the military and other security agencies in the country were doing their very best to ensure that there is peace in the southeast, the comments and activities of Ekpa are sabotaging such efforts.

    He also disclosed that at the moment, about 140,000 terrorists have surrendered and are awaiting disarmament, while adding that there is no single territory currently being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Details shortly…

  • IPOB warns Anambra monarchs, others over Ojukwu’s “Ikemba Nnewi” title

    IPOB warns Anambra monarchs, others over Ojukwu’s “Ikemba Nnewi” title

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned Anambra traditional rulers particularly Eze Igwe Orizu of Nnewi not to tamper with the Ikemba Nnewi title belonging to the late Biafra leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

    The group said on Thursday in a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful that its attention has been drawn to the secret plans by Eze Igwe’s heir and some cabinet members to sell the title given to Dim Ojukwu to a politician in his kingdom.

    The group warned those involved to desist from such plans as the title belongs to Dim Ojuķwu dead or alive.

    Read Also: Police nab three over death threats, extortion in Anambra

    The statement reads: “The attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been drawn to the secret plans by the Traditional Ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Orizu’s heir and some in his cabinet to sell the “Ikemba Nnewi” title that was given to our eternal leader, late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to some politician in his kingdom.

    “We are reliably informed that the moneybag politician plans to use the “Ikemba Nnewi” title in an attempt to secure some legitimacy for his upcoming gubernatorial bid.

    “Our eternal leader’s title should be left out of his political plans. In life, Ojukwu made his stance clear. Ojukwu represents the people and not the personal ambitions of any individual.

    “IPOB is by way of this message, also alerting the good Igwe Orizu of the secret plans that are being hatched behind his back.

    “IPOB is warning those involved to desist from that plan, because the “Ikemba Nnewi” title exclusively belongs to our eternal leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu whether dead or alive, because of his enormous contributions to Biafra Nation.

    “Anybody who intends to buy that title is setting himself up against IPOB and Ndigbo in general. Nobody in Nnewi or any part of Alaigbo is allowed to be conferred with the title of “Ikemba Nnewi.” That title belongs to the Late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and to him alone.”

  • Imo election: IPOB warns INEC against subverting people’s will

    Imo election: IPOB warns INEC against subverting people’s will

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,  has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, subverting  the will of Imo people ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election.

     IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, issued the warning yesterday in a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri.

    The group said its warning was because the government has drafted some persons into the INEC, to allegedly manipulate the process in favour of the ruling political party. The number of persons drafted to INEC, was eighteen in number as stated by IPOB.

     According to IPOB, “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU warns INEC not to throw Imo State into political crisis in the coming Imo State gubernatorial election.

     “As much as IPOB does not get involved in the Nigeria fraudulent political selection called the election, nevertheless, we are not going to be silent and watch the Nigeria Government use corrupt INEC officials to perpetuate evil in Imo State and by extension the Southeast Region.

     “Everyone is familiar with INEC’s fraudulent activities during elections in Nigeria. INEC is not independent but fully dependent on the government in power or on any moneybag politician who lines their pockets. However, in this coming election in Imo State, INEC officials must be very circumspect not to throw Imo State into crisis by becoming willing tools to renew another four years-mandate of suffering, hunger, and killings.

    Read Also: IPOB’s proscription illegal, unconstitutional, says court

     “INEC officials must not be another Supreme Court that imposed a rejected candidate on Imo Indigenes using the vulcanized Supreme Court. That illegality of the Supreme Court threw Imo State into unwarranted suffering, political intimidation, and mass killings.

     “IPOB members are not politicians and neither partisan, but we are against any political party or government that is toxic to our people. The Supreme Court Governor in Imo State, Hope Uzodinma is a murderer and a mass killer who has killed and forcefully disappeared a lot of people in Imo State. He has ensured that insecurity reigns supreme in Imo State and beyond.

     “Those who are colluding with him to rig him back into power should watch their back. He who fetches an ant-infested firewood has indirectly invited lizards for a party. Therefore, INEC officials that Hope Uzodinma handpicked and drafted to rig the Imo State election should be very careful not to buy a market that comes with heavy prices.”

    “We want these drafted INEC officials to know that Imo State people are groaning in pain from a killer government and it will be suicidal for them to subvert their wishes in this coming election because of money or threat. If you can’t stand the threat and can’t say no to bribes to subvert the will of Imo citizens, you have the time to back off. But should you subvert the will of the people, be ready for the consequences? Ndimo and IPOB intelligence in Imo State are watching.

    “The IPOB intelligence has uncovered some INEC officials that have been drafted to various Imo State Local Government Areas to compromise election results in favour of Hope Uzodinma and APC. All these identified and named officials are from outside Imo State except one official. We advise every one of them to be professional or back off if they can’t be neutral and do their job honestly. If they insist on doing the dirty job, then they should get ready for the consequences, “IPOB said.

  • IPOB’s proscription illegal, unconstitutional, says court

    IPOB’s proscription illegal, unconstitutional, says court

    Justice A. O. Onovo of the Enugu State High Court, Thursday, ruled that the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) by the Southeast Governors’ Forum in 2017 is illegal.

    The Governors led by former Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, proscribed IPOB founded by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. About three days later, the Federal Government government listed IPOB as a terrorist organisation.

    Kanu approached the court to seek the reversal of the prescription based on the fact that IPOB is a registered organization, and composed of members who are exercising their right of association.

    The respondents to the case are the Southeast Governors and the Federal Government.

    The suit was instituted by Kanu’s special counsel, Barr Aloy Ejimakor.

    The reliefs sought by Kanu are, “A declaration that the practical application of the Terrorism Prevention Act and the executive or administrative action of the respondents which directly led to the proscription of IPOB and its listing as a terrorist group, said IPOB being comprised of citizens of Nigeria of the Igbo and other Eastern Nigerian ethnic groups, professing the political opinion of self determination and the consequent arrest, detention and prosecution of Kanu as a member/leader of said IPOB, is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and amounts to infringement of the applicant’s fundamental right not to be subjected to any disabilities or restrictions on the basis of his ethnicity as enshrined and guaranteed under Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and his fundamental rights as enshrined under Articles 2,3,19 & 20 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Enforcement and Ratification) Act.

    “A declaration that self-determination is not a crime and thus cannot be used as a basis to arrest, detain and prosecute the applicant, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    Read Also: Troops raid IPOB/ESN camps in Enugu, Anambra

    “An order mandating and compelling the respondents, jointly or severally, to issue official letter(s) of apology to Kanu for the infringement of his said fundamental rights; and publication of said letter(s) of apology in three national dailies.

    “An order mandating and compelling the respondents to, jointly or severally, pay the sum of N8,000,000,000.00 (Eight Billion Naira) to Kanu, being monetary damages claimed by the applicant against the respondents jointly and severally for the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, property and other damages suffered by the applicant as a result of the infringements of their fundamental rights by the respondents.”

    Justice A.O. Onovo, while delivering the judgement, agreed with the applicant that the African Charter binds on Nigerian courts, hence self-determination is not a crime.

    He held that the proscription is therefore unconstitutional.

    On monetary damages, the court granted N8 billion damages to Kanu as well as apologies in national dailies. It however declined jurisdiction in stopping the criminal trial of Kanu on grounds that it is before the Supreme Court.

    Ejimakor commended the court for being the last hope of the coming man. In his words, “We are grateful that justice had prevailed over this matter since 2017. The court has reaffirmed the hopes of the common man in the judiciary. You have saved thousands of lives.”