The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has told South-East governors and members of the public to deal decisively with “criminals still” enforcing weekly sit-at-home orders.
The unconstitutional order was initially issued by the separatist group which now seeks to distance itself from it after it resulted in violent attacks.
IPOB’s latest move to deny further responsibility from the order followed a declaration by the chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, backing a political solution to Nnamdi Kanu’s incarceration.
Kanu, who leads IPOB, is being held and tried by the Nigerian government for treason. Kanu’s IPOB also has a militia wing – the Eastern Security Network (ESN) – which has been blamed for many attacks in the region.
“We have severally explained that IPOB has not authorized anybody to enforce Monday sit-at-home, which has been suspended since August 19, 2021,” IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful said in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement followed a shooting incident in Enugu on Monday. Critics point accusing fingers to IPOB who deny culpability and blame politicians.
“Anybody unleashing terror on innocent citizens under the guise of enforcing sit-at-home order is a criminal and does not deserve pity.
“Despite the suspension, some unscrupulous elements and criminals conniving with security agencies and our enemies, have continued to inflict pain on our people. They aim to blackmail IPOB, but they will continue to fail.
“Now, we want to inform our people to stand firm in the fight for their liberty. IPOB did not ask anybody to enforce sit-at-home of any kind. Henceforth, ESN operatives will come from the bushes and forests and go after these criminals unleashing mayhem on innocent people and visitors to Biafra land in the name of enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order.
“We, therefore, urge Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to deal decisively with any hoodlum using Monday sit-at-home to torture innocent citizens/residents of the state.
“No genuine member of IPOB or ESN operative is involved in any enforcement of Monday sit-at-home order. Anybody doing so is working against Biafra restoration and for a criminal group.
“We equally call on our people and members of the public to skin alive, any idiot caught inflicting sorrow on the people in the name of enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order. Such an evil soul and messenger of death doesn’t deserve to live.
“Those shooting sporadically in the market are criminals and bandits using the name of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and ESN to humiliate our people and demonize the movement. They aim to give the federal government excuse to hold our leader perpetually in detention.
“ESN operatives are ready and poised to confront criminals creating these problems in the name of ESN and IPOB in the region. We have suspended Monday Sit-At-Home a long time ago, and we have not rescinded that decision. Biafrans must be strong to withstand our enemies and their collaborators every Monday.
“IPOB was not formed to terrorise people. We remain peaceful and focused on the pursuit of Biafra freedom and independence. Governor Ugwuanyi and other Governors in the region must provide security for our people on Mondays because ESN is now ready to confront these criminals.
“Nobody should link IPOB or ESN with these bunch of criminals acting in our region and those enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order. How can we stop sit-at-home and turning around to compel people to observe it?
“We are not hypocrites and we must come out victorious. The media should stop linking IPOB and ESN with the criminals behind this sad development. They are not our members and we can never accommodate this kind of criminals in our movement and family of IPOB.”
