IPOB/ESN Reveals How They Get Weapons

The Biafran Separatist, better known as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has described as mere propaganda the reports its members attacked bank to steal money for arms.

IPOB in a statement made available to newsmen earlier by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, claimed it produces its arms locally.

Naija News reports that the secessionist group while denying allegation credited to the Department of State Services on Thursday, April 15 that IPOB was plotting to attack banks to get money for the purchase of ammunition, said the purported report was meant to blackmail Eastern Security Network and IPOB to dent their global reputation.

IPOB insisted that its group is not lacking financially to have attacked a bank as claimed by the Nigerian security agency. The Biafra nation agitators assured banks in the area of safety, noting that IPOB members are freedom fighters and not criminals.

The group further warned all banks in the ‘Biafraland’ to wary of the DSS, suggesting that the security agency is possibly planning to sponsor attacks on banks and turn around ‘as usual’ to blame it on IPOB and ESN. IPOB admonished the DSS to stop wasting their time on propaganda and get engaged with something more meaningful.

The statement read: “The DSS is propelling this wicked propaganda to blackmail Eastern Security Network and IPOB and dent our global reputation.

“IPOB and ESN are not criminals and we have no plans or agenda to touch any institution particularly banks.

“We are not looking for money to buy arms because we produce our arms locally and cannot attack or kidnap anybody for ransom. “We don’t inflict pains on the people we are fighting for their freedom. DSS must stop this rubbish and engage their time on something more meaningful. This poor script cannot fly… ESN has never left its mandate which is to defend Biafra land against Fulani terrorists and killer herdsmen.”

“All banks in Biafraland must be wary of the DSS because it is possible they are planning to sponsor attacks on banks and turn around, as usual, to blame it on IPOB and ESN.”

Meanwhile, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has revealed that armed bandits are currently operating in at least 24 out of 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

Ortom stated this on Thursday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondence Chapel, Abuja, where he was the guest speaker, while Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) served as Chairman of the event, Naija News reports.