The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared that the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is under oath to safeguard the South-East region, stressing that operatives would not engage in any form of criminality.

In a statement commemorating the ESN?s 4th anniversary, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful commended the gallantry of the ESN Command in the South-East. He noted that the anniversary celebration was delayed due to security concerns.

Powerful stated that IPOB would not retreat or surrender until Biafra?s referendum is achieved and President Bola Tinubu releases its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. He emphasized that the ESN is committed to protecting the people of the South-East from marauding terrorists and Fulani herdsmen.

The IPOB spokesman warned that the ESN would intensify its operations against criminals who have turned the region into a hub for evil activities. He stated that it would be ?an eye for an eye? operation, stressing that Biafra land must be free from all forms of criminality and terrorism.

Powerful also cautioned local vigilantes in the region to tread with caution, warning that the ESN would confront anyone found to be working with the Nigerian government and its security forces to hunt and kill IPOB members or innocent Biafrans.

The IPOB spokesperson reiterated the group?s call for the Nigerian government to release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and other Biafrans detained unjustly.

He emphasised that self-determination is not a crime under any law in the world.

?In this year 2025, ESN will intensify their activities in sting operations against all the criminals who have turned our land into a place where all manner of evil and abominable activities?ritual killings, extortion, illegal arrest, and forceful disappearances, drug businesses?take place. It is going to be an eye for an eye operation. Biafra Land must be free from all forms of criminality and terrorism being sponsored by desperate politicians just to tarnish the image of ESN, IPOB, and the Biafra struggle.

?ESN hereby warns all the local vigilantes under any code name in Biafra Land to tread with caution in discharging their duties. ESN operatives are not against the genuine vigilantes that are helping to curb crimes. But they must not cross the red lines by being a tool in the hands of government and security forces to hunt, abduct, and kill any IPOB member or any innocent Biafran in Biafra territory. If they do, they should be ready to have a confrontation with ESN.

?ESN shall apply all necessary measures to facilitate the evacuation of terrorists and bandits in the guise of the Nigerian Security Agencies out of the Biafra Region. Some of the people in these security uniforms are terrorists and criminals parading as state actors. ESN shall impose harsh punishment on any Biafran conniving with herdsmen in land acquisition in the Southeast region. Moreover, those individuals making money by pointing fingers at IPOB members to be abducted or killed by security forces should be ready to be paid in the same coin.

?Finally, the global family of IPOB once again calls on the Nigerian Government under Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and other Biafrans abducted by the Nigeria DSS, Army, and Police and detained unjustly. Self-determination is not a crime under any law in the world.

?IPOB shall never retreat nor surrender until Biafrans are given the right to vote in a referendum or exit Nigeria in some other way. God bless Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB Leadership for launching ESN to save our people from the bloody terrorists. God bless ESN operatives for their bravery and sacrifices,? the statement partly read. (Nigerian Tribune)

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