By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Wednesday reiterated that members of the group and operatives of Eastern Security Network (ESN) have no camp in Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, insisting that it was not a criminal group and have no need for any camps.

IPOB said it was identifiable and was all over Biafra land and equally have IPOB branches in the Diaspora.

A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, accused Nigeria’s security agencies of using the hatred they have on the people of Biafra particularly, IPOB and ESN members, to unleash cruelty on the people living in the mentioned communities where they suspect that criminals were taking refuge.

It stressed that criminals taking refuge in any community in Biafra land doesn't make them IPOB members or ESN operatives.

The statement partly read: "We have also not said there are no more criminal gangs in Biafra land, just like every in other country, even in the advanced Western nations. But we won't accept the tagging of every criminal element found in Biafra as IPOB member or ESN operative.

“Recall that some of these criminals were already mentioned by IPOB leadership sometime during a broadcast. IPOB leadership said these criminals were unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens in some communities. Some of these hoodlums were a creation of wicked politicians in their desperation to discredit IPOB and ESN.

“In Orsumoghu, Nnewi South, Lilu Orsumenyi of Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, these criminals mentioned below are the ones impersonating ESN/IPOB members, using ESN name to commit crimes against the people of these communities. IPOB those it accused of impersonating IPOB to include Emmanuel aka (Obereagu), Innocent Obiekee from Isingwu Orsumoghu; Izuchukwu from Amaduru Orsumoghu, and Ofordie aka Baby.

“They are not ESN members, the communities involved should use their vigilant group and stop them; ESN will help them too,” the statement added.

IPOB said that in “Orlu, Imo state, these criminals mentioned below are impersonating ESN/IPOB members to demonise IPOB and ESN members, Agu, 50, Vice, and Ojoo.”

IPOB further alleged that Agu and Ojoo and their gang were collecting Illegal levy at Eke Ututu in the name of ESN when they are neither ESN operatives nor IPOB family members.

“The one they call Sky and Zuma are collecting proceeds from innocent communities. IGBANDA and his gangs are also collecting 5,000 Naira from Orlu people in the name of ESN. These names mentioned or listed in this press statement have been declared Persona Non Grata in Biafraland and they remain so. People must stop giving them money they are not ESN operatives and not IPOB volunteers.”

IPOB explained that ESN does not write letters to people or make calls to people requesting for funds, noting that neither IPOB nor ESN have dealings with such evil activities of these criminals who were now on ESN watch list.

It added: “Be warned and stop giving them money in the name of ESN or IPOB volunteers,” IPOB said and enjoined the public to use the contact numbers it has provided via +1248 949 4843, +61434294745 to report any crime from individuals, cult groups or criminal gangs using the name of IPOB/ESN to commit crimes.”

Continuing, IPOB said: “They have been kidnapping people, snatching cars and raping our women in our territory. IPOB volunteers and ESN operatives have also been making efforts to apprehend these agents of sorrow. We cannot watch these beasts created and sponsored by the governor and his masters in Miyeti Allah and their co-travellers to destroy Biafra land.

“It is therefore, wicked and annoying, that the Nigeria Army, Police and DSS will keep dishing out falsehood against IPOB and ESN by claiming that these criminals when arrested, are IPOB and ESN members. The so-called camp where these said criminals were arrested does not belong to ESN. They should stop lying against us.”

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