The Indeginous People of Biafara (IPOB) has challenged the Nigeria army, boasting that they are no match for its vigilante group, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Also The World Igbo Congress, WIC, has expressed worry over Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state’s hatred for the Eastern Security Network, ESN, that the group said has been helping to checkmate the menance of killer headsmen the south east zone.
IPOB disclosed this in a press statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful debunk the claim by the army that it has arrested some of their vigilante in Orlu, Imo State during its military operation in the State.
Powerful noted that those claimed to be arrested were innocent citizens from Orlu who are not members of the vigilante outfit. He said “also we want to debunk the lies by the Nigeria military that those it arrested in Orlu during their genocidal raid and air strike last week are ESN operatives.
” It’s just unfortunate that the Nigeria Army which capitulates before rag-tag Boko Haram could curiously arrest innocent Biafran civilians at Orlu branding them ESN operatives. Powerful stated.
He continued “Till tomorrow, the Nigeria military should know that its poorly-trained troops are no match to the gallant and formidable ESN operatives. We are miles ahead of them, and can never be subdued by them. Their propaganda cannot work.
“We equally want to warn the Nigerian military to ensure nothing happens to the Jewish Rabbi Kelechi Nwachukwu and his family as well as other IPOB members they arrested out of frustration following their humiliation by the indomitable ESN operatives at Orlu.
” We must warn the Nigeria military as well as the Supreme Court Administrator in Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to ensure that nothing happens to these IPOB members and 33 synagogue worshipers arrested in Orlu and paraded in the public as if they were criminals.” Powerful stated.
World Igbo Congress flays Uzodinma’s attack on ESN
The World Igbo Congress, WIC, has expressed worry over Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state’s hatred for the Eastern Security Network, ESN, that the group said has been helping to checkmate the menance of killer headsmen the south east zone.
WIC said it was confused on Uzodinma’s action given his Zamfara state counterpart’s visit and dialogue with bandits that have been killing innocent people in the Northern region unlike the ESN that protects lives of Ndigbo.
In a statement, on Thursday, WIC spokesman, Hon Basil Onwukwe said the group condemned the recent military attack in Orlu Imo state that claimed the lives of innocent citizens and members of Eastern Security Network.
“It’s unfortunate to watch Governor Hope Uzodinma admit ordering the military airstrikes on Imo youths who were volunteering to monitor against the killing and raping by Fulani Herdsmen. “The Governor of Zamfara recently visited and openly took a photo with hordes of bandits and militants in his area.
The other Northern leaders have made numerous ransom payments to kidnappers, including redemption offers and conversion into the national security apparatus.
“The federal government has been encouraging Governor Hope Uzodima to govern by intimidation and vindictive-destructive mission against Igbo youths. “What exactly has the ESN done that makes them terrorists or criminals that the Nigerian military has turned Orlu into a war zone? The killing of Imo State indigenes and ESN volunteers that withstood killer herdsmen is unwarranted,” WIC said.
The group noted that it was a height of irony that whereas President Muhammadu Buhari’s defense minister recently admonished Nigerians to stand their ground and face bandits and killer herdsmen, the same Buhari administration permitted the use of helicopter, gunships and artillery against her citizen as requested by Governor Hope Uzodinma to kill the people working to stop the killers.
“World Igbo Congress is therefore calling on the international community to investigate the heinous act perpetrated by the Governor of Imo state, the rationale that brought the Governor into power from a distant fourth position, and as a matter of urgency place movement restriction on the government officials involved,” WIC suggested.
