By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has identified the people behind the kidnappings in Anambra, Enugu and Imo states.

The group in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, on Thursday, June 16, 2022, reeled out the kidnap syndicates in Anambra State to include, Mazi Chijioke Aloy Emechie (pastor), Uchenna Nnadi, Nwamamiwater, Michael and Mark Okpulor.

For Abia State, it named Nkechi Kalu and her about eight kidnap gangs as operating between Abia State and Igweocha Rivers State.

IPOB listed one Chocho and Mazi Ejiofor as elements masterminding the kidnapping in Enugu State.

It noted that the listed names were not IPOB members, saying that anybody associating with them was a confirmed criminal.

The statement partly reads: “The above named persons who were formerly IPOB members were expelled as a result of indiscipline and insurbordination which is not tolerated by IPOB leadership.

“These men are also not members of IPOB and do not represent the cherished values of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

“We wish to reiterate once again that IPOB has never been part or behind the ongoing insecurity and criminalities in our dear region and against our people for whose security and safety the ESN was established.

“IPOB formed and inaugurated ESN to checkmate Fulani terrorists’ activities in the region and would never get involved in such evil and wicked acts as kidnapping for ransom.

“Those behind this devilish activities are neither IPOB nor ESN members as always unfortunately “alleged” and we cannot allow them to succeed in our land.”

The group said that the men and women mentioned neither represent the cherished values for which IPOB is known for nor do they have any mandate to represent, transact, discuss, operate, enter into any binding agreement for and on behalf of IPOB/ ESN.

It added: “It is evidently certain that the above mentioned persons were masterminds of kidnappings in and around Nnewi North LGA, Nnewi South, Ekwulobia Aguata and other places in Anambra State, anybody that comes across them should treat them as criminal that they are.

“The above mentioned people who recently joined IPOB came with very dubious and criminal intents. However our well-tested and trusted guiding principles exposed their ulterior intent and motive and unworthy of being part of the noble IPOB family and were therefore expelled to avoid contamination with disciplined members of IPOB.

“The public should note that the above named persons were sponsored by the Nigeria Government and its compromised security agencies, particularly the Department of State Security (DSS) and Army personnel to join IPOB/ESN when our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu called for massive resignation of Biafrans from the Nigerian Security forces and join the ESN to protect their motherland against marauding Fulani terrorist and Herdsmen.

“We have fought so hard and will continue to expose and dislodged these agents in our midst and in our land. Of note is that some of these vermins fluently speak Igbo language, dress as Igbo man but they are Fulani and their main target was to destroy IPOB and ESN members and destroy Biafraland.

“However, we promise them that they will regret their actions soon as we are ever determined to expose and confront them.”

Update news