By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Leadership of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has exonerated its militia arm, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, from the attack on Okigwe Correctional Centre in Imo State.

The Nigeria Police had accused ESN for responsible of the attack which IPOB said was false.

A statement issued on Wednesday, by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the Police are aware of those behind the attack on the facility.

The statement reads In part: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great prophet and liberator, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu condemn the atrocious activity of Nigeria police at Okigwe Correctional farm centres, and we also debunk the fallacious and fabricated media blackmail from the Nigeria Police, Imo Command accusing IPOB/ESN operatives as behind the attack at the Correctional facility in Okigwe Imo State.

“IPOB/ESN was never responsible for the attack on the facility or any attack at Okigwe Imo State.

“It is pathetic on the part of the Imo State Police Command, who is most of the time in bed with the rampaging criminals in Imo State. Imo State Police is aware of those behind the alleged attacks at Okigwe Correctional Center, but because there is an agenda to blackmail IPOB/ESN, they had to pin the attack on IPOB.

“If Nigeria Police has the ability to pin attacks on IPOB and ESN within minutes of something happening without investigation, why do we still have cases of unresolved high-profile killings in Nigeria?”

Powerful argued that no group can successfully attack a prison facility and free seven inmates without the knowledge of security agents.

He added: “Let Nigerians not be deceived. No armed group can successfully carry out prison attacks and free only seven (7) inmates and prisoners without the collaboration of the government and its security agencies.

“They have selected those they wanted to free. Owerri and Suleja Correctional facilities are fortified security areas that make it impossible to carry a successful jailbreak without powerful security resistance.”

IPOB stated that the two prisons were attacked very smoothly and successfully without resistance, adding the latest alleged Okigwe prison attack and the successful release of seven prisoners are surely masterminded by the Nigeria Police.

The group advised the public not to be fooled, saying that the latest attack could either be one of the media blackmailing of IPOB/ESN or Mazi Nnamdi Kanu or both, but that is dead on arrival.

It noted that the attackers of the facility may have carried out the break to free some arrested criminals and accomplices that may have the potential to blow up the government’s covert operations.

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