The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned those who claim to be fighting for Biafra actualisation and praying for the peaceful return of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to eschew all kidnappings for ransom and other forms of criminalities in the South-East geopolitical zone.

While noting that kidnapping for ransom and other heinous crimes were not part of the tradition practiced by the zone’s ancestors, the group warned it was a sacrilege to be part of such an ugly trend in the land.

The group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement on Sunday.

It said it initiated the Monday sit-at-home order in the zone, but had since suspended it, saying its continuation was against the people and should be condemned at its entirety.

The statement read, “We, the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to condemn numerous Kidnappings and killings going on at the Nnewi LGA and other parts of Biafraland by criminals as Igbo tradition goes against Ndigbo waste innocent Igbo lives.

“It is a sacrilege to be part of such heinous crime against our own people. If our ancestors acted in such way to themselves we wouldn’t have been able to see today.

“We are cautioning those claiming to kidnap because of non-compliance of non-existent Monday sit-at-home order to stop. If you are fighting for Biafra freedom and wish that Nnamdi Kanu should be released from the DSS dungeon, you must stop all forms of criminalities in Biafra land. However, if you enjoy spilling the blood of a fellow innocent Biafran, bear in mind that you will be rewarded in the same coin.

“We wish to remind our people that the already suspended Monday sit-at-home was initiated by the IPOB leadership (DOS) and not any other person or group. However, our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, whom we are following his footsteps and leading this movement and noble family, advised us to stop the Monday sit-at-home and we obeyed. All previous sit-at-home orders from DOS were not enforced yet Biafrans obeyed knowing that we are in the struggle together. We don’t know why infiltrators paid to be unfortunate disciples to Nnamdi Kanu will recruit, brainwash and arm criminals and some misguided Biafrans to maim, kidnap, murder and destroy fellow Biafran properties so as to enforce already suspended Monday sit-at-home.

“We are calling those brainwashed and misguided Biafrans used by the paid infiltrators to impersonate the IPOB to pull out of such gang. But if you continue kidnapping and killing innocent citizens because of Monday sit-at-home, bear in mind that you must be killed because you are not fighting for Biafra Restoration nor the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement added.

It further condemned the spates of kidnappings going on in Nnewi, Anambra State, adding that the ugly trend had led to the unnecessary killings of innocent citizens, who could not provide ransom for their release.

It added that, “If you’re among the criminal gangs contracted to continue to harass our people, the IPOB and ESN operatives must not spear you unless you repent. If indeed you’re passionate to fight for Biafra freedom, how come you didn’t join ESN and do the legitimate work for Biafra freedom? Those who have been brainwashed into terrorising our people should stop, repent and revert to the IPOB strategy and operations or regret your actions.

“The infiltrators were paid to hire criminals to impersonate, blackmail, demonise and destroy IPOB in the eyes of the International Community by killing our people whom we are fighting for their liberation and freedom. The IPOB doesn’t kill and must not kill anybody to have Biafra as a Sovereign Nation. Biafra will come but not through car snatching, kidnappings and killings going on in these communities in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi States.

“We are aware that Nigeria Government and Fulani Caliphate recruited and funded those criminal activities in the region, they recruited the criminals and make them look as if they are IPOB or ESN members. But it is the duty of every Biafran to debunk this ‘divide and rule British game’ because they are looking for anything and anyone to destroy IPOB and ESN.

“Igbo youths, please shine your eyes!! The green snakes are in the green grass. The enemies have armed some of us to be harmful to fellow Igbo man and woman while impersonating the IPOB. But one thing is sure; you cannot destroy the IPOB-ESN using propaganda or fake ESN, Why so? Answer – Just to get ESN and IPOB out of the way for Fulani conquest of Biafra land to be sure.

“The DOS and other leadership are up there fighting hard to gain Biafra recognition internationally while some idiots have allowed themselves to be used against our people and to damage the good loyalty and reputation the ESN and IPOB volunteers have enjoyed since establishment. We knew why our leader stopped the Monday sit-at-home order which we are not obliged to expose to the public. Unfortunately, some Biafrans are on social media ranting and fighting the IPOB leadership without knowing what is happening or going on with the struggle and where the struggle stands at the moment. But in a short while some revelations will be made known concerning Biafra agitation.

“Anybody still enforcing that non-existent Monday sit-at-home is a criminal who is paid through infiltrators’ leader in Fulani to impersonate and blackmail IPOB. So long as IPOB is concerned, the Monday sit-at-home initiated by the DOS has been cancelled and has not been reinstated. The IPOB doesn’t force or intimidate anyone when we call our people to sit-at-home as part of our civil disobedience especially on our Leader’s Court date. We allow people to do it voluntarily and not by force. Therefore, anyone enforcing already suspended Monday sit-at-home is not an IPOB member or IPOB volunteer,” the statement emphasized. (The PUNCH)

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