By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has absolved the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, and Senator Victor Umeh of playing any role in the recent re-arrest of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The group said following its investigations, the duo were found to be innocent of the accusation leveled against them. It urged people to disregard the voice note making the rounds on social media against Umeh on the issue.

A statement made available to News Express on Tuesday by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, partly reads: “Through indepth investigations and intelligence gathering, we, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), have uncovered more Biafran traitors involved in the betrayal of our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his subsequent abduction and extradition from Kenya to Nigeria. These saboteurs colluded with the federal government to perpetrate the heinous crime.

“Recall that in our earlier release on this, we noted that we were still investigating the level of Ngige’s involvement in this abominable act, and our indepth investigations have proved him culpable in the act. Other people involved will soon publish to the public, our intelligence units are still working to unravel them some Igbo business men and women who were involved in the abominable act in Anambra State and Imo State will soon be exposed to the public.

“We, however, wish to absolve Gov. Willie Obiano from any involvement in the act contrary to our earlier statement based on preliminary investigation. Gov. Willie Obiano was found to be innocent after our intelligence unit conducted further investigations on him. We regret any harm our earlier statement might have caused him.

“We don’t act based on rumour or mere propaganda senator Sir Victor Umeh is innocent of the accusations against him, the voice note going viral where they mentioned Victor Umeh is not true and our people should disregard that voice against him anybody involved in such abominable act should desist from such and repent because IPOB will get him or her who are responsible for this cowardly act.

“We are responsible enough to admit our error any time any day. So, we apologise to Gov. Obiano and Victor Umeh.”

IPOB said its investigations revealed the involvement of the Minister for Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and other business men in Anambra and Imo states in the arrest plan.

It said that they not only betrayed Kanu, but contributed funds to sponsor his extra-ordinary rendition to Nigeria.

The statement added: “They include: Emeka Offor, Gov. Nyesom Wike, Chris Ngige, Imo State administrator Hope Uzodinma and Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

“They decided to trap our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu because of their political and commercial interests which they consider above the overall good and emancipation of Biafrans.

“We want to make it clear to them that Biafra will hold them responsible for whatever happens to our leader. They cannot stop us.”

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