By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday said it was not part of the alleged secret plans to attack banks in Abia state or other states in the southeast.

The group in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful said that its intelligence unit, the M-Branch has discovered plans by some criminals claiming to be disciples of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to invade banks in Abia state and blame it on IPOB and ESN operatives.

IPOB said it is putting the public on notice that it is not part of the plan, and will not be part of such criminalities.

The statement partly reads, "In the event of an attack on any bank in the East, Biafrans should hold autopilots who have branded themselves MNK disciples responsible because they have committed other criminalities.

"That notwithstanding; we are going to checkmate them because they have decided to blackmail IPOB and ESN operatives with their criminal plans. We cannot afford to be part of activities that will increase the pain and suffering of our people who we are fighting for their freedom.

"IPOB intelligence unit, the M-Branch released this Intel in advance to advise our people to be prepared because they have devised another means to suffer our people. The purported sit-at-home orders have failed; their contractors want them to change strategies that will also be dead on arrival.

"We made this Intel public for our people to know that there is danger ahead and the danger will come in different ways against our innocent citizens.

"Therefore, we call on all Biafrans to resist any attempt to be used by anyone to attack and destroy the banks in Igbo Land. MNK has consistently warned our people that banks, worship centers, schools, and markets are not places to vent anger in times of protest or war.

"Our people should know that any bank attacked or destroyed in Biafra land, our enemies will use to justify why our people will not be able to access their monies from banks. Other ethnic groups can protest and destroy banks without the Nigerian government punishing them, but in the case of Biafrans, particularly, Igbos are visited with wickedness and shedding of blood."

It called on people to keep their emotions in check and realize that the issues of Biafra's freedom are beyond emotions.

"We all need Biafra to come quickly, but we must be cautious not to play into the hands of our already weakened and frustrated enemies.

"Our people must be wise to follow instructions from IPOB. Therefore, no wise Biafran should support or join any attack on any bank in Biafra Land, particularly at Aba, Abia State", IPOB added.