By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned what it described as an unprovoked attack on some members of IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN) operatives at Oguta junction, Mgbidi, along Owerri road – Onitsha Expressway, by a joint security force comprising the army, police and Department of State Security (DSS) operatives.

The group expressed deep pain over “the killing of innocent Biafrans protecting communities and towns from Fulani terrorist herdsmen masquerading as cattle herders in cold blood.”

IPOB accused Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, of killing its commander, Ikonso, “because he refused his offer to head Ebubeagu ghost security outfit formed by South East governors.”

The group in a statement on Saturday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emna Powerful, vowed to avenge the death of Commander Ikonso.

The statement partly reads: “The Supreme Court Administrator of Imo State Hope Uzodinma and all those who had a hand in this wickedness will pay dearly. Uzodinma and his cowardly Nigerian security agencies that cannot confront Fulani terrorists but only flex their muscles when they see Biafra agitators.

“For murdering Ikonso, the ESN unit Commander in cold blood, Uzodima has stirred the hornet nest! He should get ready for a sting.

“Uzodima decided to kill Ikonso because he refused his offer to head Ebubeagu ghost security outfit formed by South East governors. Uzodima has tried but without success to lure ESN operatives into EBUBEAGU. He had made irresistible offers to them which were turned down, hence his resorting to elimination of these patriotic heroes who vowed never to betray Biafra.

“Hope Uzodinma sent a lot of emissaries to beg Ikonso and other ESN officers to join EBUBEAGU security outfit. So, because of their refusal to betray Biafra agitation and our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the hopeless governor mobilized joint security forces to attack them today.

“Contrary to claims by the cowardly security forces who flee from terrorists but kill innocent citizens, they were not able to penetrate into the camp of Eastern Security Network ESN. They only ambushed Ikonso but we promise them hell for this cowardly act!

“Hope Uzodima has murdered sleep, so he should be ready to stay awake! FULANI terrorists pretending as cattle sellers in Enugu destroyed Police van and attacked Government officials on lawful duty with AK-47 but no Army, police or DSS attacked them till now. But ESN operatives defending our communities against the terrorists are being hunted like games everyday.”

While noting that the world has kept quiet over the killing, waiting for its reaction, IPOB said that “as Ikonso’s body was paraded, so shall be your portion one day.”

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