Biafra: IPOB Reacts To Military Raid Of ESN Camps In Imo, Anambra

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from the camps raided by the troops of the Nigerian Army in Anambra and Imo States respectively.

Naija News reports that the Nigerian Army had said that it routed some members of the proscribed group and its armed unit, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the South-East states.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu.

He disclosed that troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army carried out the operation at Azia, Orsumoghu, Lilu Forest, Mbosi and Uli in Ihiala and Orsu Local Government Areas of Anambra and Imo States on Wednesday 23rd February 2022.

Nwachukwu said that the IPOB/ESN members attempted to ambush the troops but were overpowered by the gallant soldiers who successfully cleared the forests and the adjoining areas.

But in a statement on Friday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB denied the claims that the camps raided belong to it, stressing that it does not have a camp in the towns mentioned by the Army.

Powerful described the statement credited to the Nigerian Army as “a media propaganda”, adding that the Army should stop peddling lies against innocent individuals and groups.

The statement reads: “Following the frustration, falsehood, and media propaganda by security agencies especially Nigeria police, army, and DSS agents masquerading as secret police in Nigeria, we the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Nnamdi Kanu condemn and deny any culpability in the numerous fabricated lies, allegations, and deliberate media propaganda against IPOB and ESN operatives by Nigeria Government and its security agencies.

“We have discovered that the Nigeria Government and its security agencies have a penchant for peddling lies against innocent individuals and groups, especially those who stand in their way, and who make efforts to expose them.

“IPOB has severally explained to the public that we don’t have a camp in Orsumoghu, Lilu, in Anambra State and Mbaise, Obowo, and Isu LGA’s of Imo State but we wonder how Nigeria police would be dishing out such fallacious narrative that they busted ESN camp in these communities and most gullible minds and imitation fellows believe them.

“The camp they attacked in Orsumoghu recently does not belong to ESN nor IPOB. It is imperative to make it categorically clear to all that ESN and IPOB had before now, declared those criminals behind the said camp wanted since December 2021. The Police Commissioner in Imo State should stop peddling lies against us in his desperation to create the false impression that he is working hard.”