IPOB Denies Abduction Of Soldier, Tells Nigeria Army, DSS And Police To Stop Blackmailing The Group

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has debunked reports that its security outfit, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) had abducted a soldier in Ebem Ohafia in Abia State.

The separatist group, who said it had no hand in the abduction of the said soldier identified as Bassey Ikunugwan noted that its men and women are gallant people who don’t kidnap for money.

IPOB has also denied claims by the Nigerian Army that it raided ESN hideouts in the Amangwu community of the state, in an attempt to rescue the abducted soldier.

Naija News learnt that the group in a statement on Friday signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful revealed that ESN operatives do not have any camp in Amangwu Ohafia, which the army claimed to have raided.

The group also maintained that its security camps are secured and sacred territories, hence the camp the army raided in that area is not ESN, noting that those armed gangs burst at that camp didn’t work for them.

IPOB alleged that the accusation of the abduction of the soldier, the raid, and all other accusations levelled against it was calculated efforts by the federal government and its security agencies to blackmail the group.

It however called on security agencies particularly the Military, Police, and DSS agents to stop their continuous blackmail and demonization of IPOB and ESN operatives.

“We wish to debunk concocted and state-sponsored media blackmail by Nigeria Military claims that they invaded ESN camp in Ohafia, Biafraland.

“We have said before now that ESN operatives do not have any camp in Amangwu Ohafia LGA. All the criminal camps that the Nigerian Army has claimed to have invaded are not ESN camps.

“ESN camps are secured and sacred territories. ESN don’t indulge in kidnapping and collecting ransom from innocent citizens who eventually lead the military to those camps.

“The security agencies particularly the Military, Police, and DSS agents must stop their continuous blackmail and demonization of IPOB and ESN operatives for wanting Biafra Independence. The World and even the Nigeria Government know that we are innocent in all their allegations.

“ESN has no business or hand in the kidnapping of an Army officer in Ebem Ohafia.
“For Nigerian Army to claim that they raided the hideouts of Indigenous People Of Biafra or Eastern Security Network in Amangu Community, Abia State, in an attempt to rescue an abducted soldier, Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan is false.

“If there is any such camp in Amangwu Community Ohafia, it is not an ESN camp and those armed gangs at the camp are not working for IPOB.

“It is a calculated attempt by the Nigerian State to blackmail IPOB anytime they invade any criminal hideout. This type of blackmail is no longer holding water. It simply doesn’t work anymore. We advise Nigeria Government and its security agencies to change to another blackmailing format. This one has failed!

“IPOB and our ESN Operatives are disciplined gallant men and women who protect our people and do not engage in any criminality or kidnapping and snatching of cars,” the group submitted.