Biafra: Our Members Are Not Terrorists, Criminals – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said its members are peaceful individuals and not terrorists as portrayed by the Federal Government.

IPOB said the recent pronouncement by the United Nations (UN) that it was a peaceful movement buttressed the need for the government to treat its members as non-criminals.

Naija News reports that the proscribed group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The group also condemned the killing of innocent citizens in Delta State by security agents claiming that they have killed IPOB and ESN members.

The statement read, “The attention of the global movement and noble family of the Indigenous People of Biafra under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, wish to draw the attention of Ifeanyi Okowa, the Delta State governor, over the killing of innocent citizens in Delta State by Nigeria compromised security agents in the State claiming that they have killed IPOB and ESN.

“However, IPOB members are peaceful and not terrorists to be hunted and killed.

“We boldly want everyone, including Nigeria terrorist sponsoring government, to understand that being an IPOB member is not a crime. Recently, United Nations Working Group, in their public opinion defined IPOB’s struggle as a peaceful movement seeking lawful Self Determination from Nigeria”

IPOB threatened the vice-presidential ambition of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta over alleged killings in the state.

The group said the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is only after terrorists masquerading as herdsmen in bushes and forests who are raping and killing innocent citizens in the South East.

It said: “If Ifeanyi Okowa continues to play ostrich while this barbarity and shielding of innocent people’s blood continue, IPOB will ensure that his Vice Presidential ambition becomes a mirage.

It added, “IPOB is peaceful in all its operations. ESN under IPOB-DOS is only after Fulani terrorists masquerading as herdsmen in our bushes and forests who are raping our mothers, wives, and sisters.

“Delta State is now safe heaven for these Fulani terrorists who are doing all manner of atrocities unchallenged. IPOB are watching with keen interest, and we are ready to confront Fulani terrorists in Delta State because Delta State is part of the Biafran territory.

“Also, there was no ESN operative or IPOB member killed in Delta State. Rather, innocent Biafran youths are being massacred at the watch of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. We challenge Nigeria police to publish the names of police officers killed by IPOB and ESN in Delta state.”