IPOB Threatens Action, Issues Ultimatum After Navy Killed Six Of Its Members

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reacted to the killing of six of its members in Anambra State by the Nigerian Navy.

The proscribed group in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful demanded the release of all those arrested within seven days of face the wrath of the group.

Naija News recalls the Nigerian Navy confirmed that its operatives killed six suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Anambra during Monday’s sit-at-home.

It also debunked reports that two naval officers were killed during the gun duel that ensued.

The Commanding Officer, Naval Outpost, Onitsha, Anambra State, Adekunle Okeniyi said on Tuesday in a statement that the IPOB members attempted to attack the naval operatives.

IPOB in its reaction, accused the traditional rulers of affected communities of reporting the youths to the Army and Navy because they opposed their plans to sell community lands to Fulani herdsmen.

It accused the traditional rulers and security operatives of conniving to unleash terror on innocent residents of the communities.

The IPOB statement said if such persons are not released within seven days, the traditional rulers should be ready to bear whatever consequences may follow which may include having to “answer to our ancestors.”

Read the full statement below:

“The attention of the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the treacherous and abominable activities of some evil traditional rulers and President Generals in Biafran land who report their youths to the Nigerian soldiers to kill them.

“We have got reports of traditional rulers and President Generals who terrorize youths in their community by tagging them IPOB members and ESN operatives. The only crime of the youths is standing up for their rights and resisting the sale of community land to Fulani herdsmen.

“It’s an abomination for a traditional ruler in Biafra land to report youths in his community to terror-friendly Nigeria Army just because he feels the youths are standing in his way to sell the community land to the Fulani herders. We, therefore, warn all such treacherous monarchs to retrace their steps or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.

“We want to sound it clear that henceforth, any traditional ruler that reports his subjects to the Nigeria Army or Navy to torture them for opposing their plans to sell community land to Fulani herdsmen, shall get ready to answer to our ancestors. Such evil traitors are not worthy to live how much more occupy the Ezeship stool in Biafraland.

“On this note, we demand the unconditional release of all the youths arrested by the Navy at Atani and other communities in Ogbaru, Anambra State. If you evil monarchs doubt our resolve to deal with you, fail to release those arrested by naval officers in the affected communities within seven days. If after seven days the arrested youths are not released, the treacherous traditional rulers and President Generals who masterminded their ordeals should prepare to reap the fruit of their treachery!

“Any treacherous traditional ruler and President Generals found to be selling our ancestral land to the Fulani Herdsmen, who are terrorist jihadists from the Futa Jaleon shall be held responsible for whatever consequences that will emanate from such action.”

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council has condemned all forms of violence against women and the girl child and is committed to their empowerment in the state.

In a communique issued at the end of a multi stakeholders’ strategic conference between the council and WomenAid Collective, the monarchs outlawed girl-child marriage and other forms of gender-based harmful practices in the state.