The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) of becoming the official media and publicity arm of the Department of State Services (DSS), describing the movement as a moribund terrorist organisation.

IPOB in a statement issued by its Spokespersons, Barrister Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka, said “Because of this latest conversion, the rogue organisation is now popularly called Movement for the Enslavement of Niger Delta. We also have intelligence information that as part of the deal accompanying the conversion, MEND or should we say the ever suicidal and mentally imbalanced Charles Okah was promised early release from prison where he is currently being held for his role as the infamous Gbomo Jomo of the tragic terrorist bombing of October 1, 2011 at Eagle Square Abuja.

“This schizophrenic Charles Okah or Gbomo Jomo who as a matter of public record has attempted to kill himself twice, in his new role as the MEND leader that only exists on the Internet, was given a paltry one Million Naira by the DSS to provide information on the whereabouts of Niger Delta Avengers. It is necessary to state for record purposes that any person or persons so far arrested by the Nigerian Army or DSS in connection with the activities of militancy in the Niger Delta area is based on information provided by this unstable Charles Okah and should hold MEND responsible.”

IPOB also alleged that “Following this promise of early release from prison, MEND was required to issue a series of fake press statements intended to drive a wedge between IPOB and the Niger Delta Avengers (N.D.A.) both of whom have since closed ranks in total pursuit of the restoration of the nation of Biafra.”

According to IPOB, “The initial attempt by MEND to execute their own part of the deal on fake press releases failed woefully even with the backing of Nigeria’s brown-envelope journalists typified by the APC-financed “Sharia Reporters”, Hence they changed tactics with the recent press release in which they lied that the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has agreed in secret to renounce Biafra in order to be released. Even if we foolishly accept their assertion, does that not indict (President Muhammadu) Buhari and the Judiciary and prove IPOB right that Nigerian Judiciary is compromised and the case against Nnamdi Kanu lacks merit?

“By the way, what has renouncing of Biafra got to do with discussions between Buhari and Movement for the Enslavement of Niger Delta? Why is MEND interested in Biafra and Nnamdi Kanu’s release on one hand and on the other hand assert that “Biafra Republic aims to annex the Niger Delta region as part of its territory?

“Is MEND that poorly educated that they are unaware that the last Head of State of Biafra before the war ended in January 1970 is from the same Niger Delta? Furthermore, is MEND aware that it was Chief Frank Opigo from the same Ijaw Clan where MEND leadership comes from in Niger Delta that reminded us that the name of our nation is Biafra at the meeting of Eastern Consultative Assembly held on May 27, 1967? Niger Delta gave birth to the notion of Biafra and actively nurtured it. Anybody who doesn't know this is ignorant of history and IPOB is not in the business of educating the uneducated. Had Nigeria invested in education especially history in the Niger Delta areas, some of these glaring ignorance of historical facts will be minimised.

“The latest fake press release by the Movement for the Enslavement of Niger Delta is part of several stories planted by Buhari's DSS to save face because the pressure from around the world to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is becoming unbearable for Buhari and his DSS. For the information of the public, the so-called Gbomo Jomo of MEND is no other person than Charles Okah who is currently in Kuje prison and in his desperation for freedom has handed over MEND propaganda machinery to the DSS after several late night meetings.

“The questions that DSS and Charles Okah must answer are: where, when and how did the IPOB leader agree to renounce Biafra? Who was present from DSS/Charles Okah (which is the same as MEND) to authenticate this hogwash of a news? Where did this meeting take place? If Buhari is looking for a way out he should say so instead of fabricating lies against an innocent man. Nnamdi Kanu is not for sale like Raphael Uwazuruike and Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo. If anyone wants to see Nnamdi Kanu to find out what he thinks, then let the person go to Kuje prison in Abuja. Nigerian media houses should investigate every press statement from this MEND that is now based at DSS headquarters.”

•Photo shows imprisoned MEND Leader Charles Okah.

Update news