By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Nigeria government and her security agencies, including the military, Department of State Services (DSS) and Police of being responsible for the truck drivers’ road blockade protest for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The group, in a statement on Sunday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said: “People should know that it is the Nigerian Security that forced the drivers to block roads with their trucks and it’s the same security agents with Ebubeagu militias that set fire on those Trucks carrying goods to the East, not ESN, unknown gunmen, or criminals.

“On the 21st of October, 2022, these Government terrorist Security Agents blocked all the major routes to the Eastern Region/Biafra land (Igbo land) and refused all trucks carrying goods into Biafra. In the end, they set fire to those Trucks loaded with consumable goods.

“It’s not enough that Nigeria Government sabotaged the importation of goods through seaports into Biafraland, they have resorted to attacking trucks hauling goods into the Eastern Region or Biafra Land so as to create artificial scarcity that will cause hike in prices of those goods. This is another agenda of the Nigeria Government of using food and other goods blockade as a weapon as they did against Biafrans during the 1967-1970 genocidal war.

“On the 21st of October, 2022, Nigeria Security Agents attacked trucks coming from Amorka in Ihiala LGA of Anambra state at the boader community between Anambra and Imo State. We were reliably informed that Nigeria soldiers forced some of the truck drivers to block the roads and to claim that it was ESN Operatives and IPOB members that forced them to do so.

The Nigeria Army and other Security Agencies forced the truck drivers to block roads in disguise of protesting that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should be released without delay by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Today, Enugu - Aba - Igweocha Expressway was also blocked with 6 trucks. Enugu - Onitsha expressway near toll gate was blocked with 7 trucks. Obolo Afor, Enugu State was also blocked by some truck drivers.”

IPOB insisted that it never forced truck drivers to block roads in protest for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release, saying: “IPOB knows how to handle issues without Nigeria Security Agents directing it on what to do.”

It described the arrangement to use truck drivers to block routes leading to the East as a secret agenda of Nigerian security agencies to create unrest and to destroy the people’s live and properties.

According to IPOB, Government has stationed Ebubeagu men to cause more harm to innocent people in many parts of Biafra land by setting fire on people’s properties and vehicles.

It added: “Nigeria Government through her compromised Security Agencies are waging a secret war against innocent Igbo Biafrans because Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu comes from our Region.

“We have numerous Seaports where our businessmen and women can ship their goods to land and it will be easy for them to collect, but Nigeria Government, out of wickedness, shut down all seaports in Biafraland.

“IPOB always have our people in mind and will never allow any activity that will jeopardize the interest and wellbeing of our people. If Nigerian Security Agencies continue with this evil agenda of road and food blockade cum sabotage, IPOB will confront them head on.”

The group further called for the Court of Appeal verdict of 13th October, 2022 to be obeyed.

It added: “However, we are ready to meet the lawless Nigeria Government in the Supreme Court on Monday October 24, 2022.

“There is no amount of threat or intimidation that can make IPOB to retreat from the Biafra Restoration project.”

IPOB called on international communities and other civilized countries, especially those who maintain offices in Nigeria, to caution Nigerian government and it's compromised Security Agents to leave Biafraland alone.