Self-acclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa has snubbed the detained leader of the group, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, dismissing his order to end the sit-at-home enforced by members of the group in the South East over the past years. Kanu also ordered Ekpa to make a public announcement to the effect that he received a direct order from him to cancel any Monday or future sit-at-home in the South East.

The Finland based Ekpa reportedly remained adamant claiming that the order is a misrepresentation of Kanu and called on Southeasterners to ignore the letter conveying the directive.

Ekpa also described the letter as fake.

Kanu had written a letter to Ekpa ordering him to stop calling for sit-at-home in the Southeast.

In the handwritten letter Kanu also ordered Ekpa, who on his twitter account refers to himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile, to stop antagonising governors or persons in political positions as he (Ekpa) is not in position to know what they are doing on his behalf.

The letter reads: “Simon, this is a direct order from me. I hereby instruct you to desist from calling for any sit-at-home henceforth.

Equally refrain from antagonising governors or persons in political positions because you are not in a position to know what they are doing on my behalf.

I am ordering you to make a public announcement to the effect that you are in receipt of a direct order from me to cancel any Monday or future sit-at- home order in place at the moment.

I embarked on the movement to liberate our people not to enslave them. I despise and despise any person or entity that wishes to inflict unnecessary hardship on our people.

I have authorised Alloy to issue a press statement if you fail to make this announcement on your platform.”

It was gathered that IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful confirmed the authenticity of the letter.

“Yes Onyeisi wrote it to him. My brother, that criminal has done a lot of damage in Igboland,” he said.

Ekpa, in a post on his verified twitter handle @simon_ekpasaid: “Our attention has been drawn to the fake letter from the pit of hell being paraded by Nigeria media claiming that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wrote a letter. It is not only a joke but an insult taking too far that the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra is being misrepresented in this way.

“As the Prime Minister of Biafra under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I call on all Biafrans to disregard the fake letter coming from DSS. We can’t take any order from the Islamic DSS and that is final. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released and he must address Biafrans from Finland. That is the condition of the Prime Minister of Biafra and the Biafra Republic Government In Exile.”

IPOB in disarray as security agencies intensify raid on insurgents’ camps on its members’ hideouts.

In a statement on Friday, the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, disclosed that the plan to attack IPOB’s camps and arrest its members was hatched at a meeting hosted by the new governor, Nwifuru at Commissioner’s quarters which was attended by Ebonyi politicians, traditional rulers, and security agencies.

He said “We are aware of the meeting agenda, and the agreement was to identify, attack, arrest, and possibly kill every IPOB member and anybody seen to be a sympathiser of the Biafra agitation in Ebonyi State.”

He said it beats their imagination why Governor Nwifuru would want to arrest members of IPOB when the group has no issues with him.

“Let the new Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Francis Nwifuru, bear in mind that IPOB has no issue with him. IPOB and ESN have no problem with you, but your plan to arrest and kill innocent IPOB members will not go well with your government. IPOB and ESN are peaceful and protective of our land. They should be supported and protected, not destroyed,” he said.

The group’s spokesman also warned traditional rulers and other politicians not to join forces with security agencies to hunt down IPOB members.

“We are also warning all the traditional rulers in Ebonyi State to be very careful not to allow themselves to be used by wicked politicians to their own detriment. It will be callous for the traditional Rulers to join security agents to point out their children for extrajudicial executions. Any Traditional Ruler who involves himself in the matter concerning IPOB will regret his actions.”

I am directed to end insecurity in Southeast, Army boss tells Uzodimma

Chances of insecurity in the Southeast being dealt a deadly blow became brighter, yesterday, when the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu, Major Gen. Hassan Taiwo Dada, told Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma that he had been directed by his superiors to end the menace in the region.

Major Gen Dada who dropped the hint when he paid a working visit to Governor Uzodimma in the company of his team at the New Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri, however, added that the visit was to solicit the support of the government and the people to deliver on the mandate given to him.

Though he said he had assumed office two weeks ago, Major Gen Dada told the governor that it was customary in the military for officers posted to places for their assignment to familiarise themselves with the people, hence the courtesy call.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has given me a marching order to end insecurity in the Southeast and I hope to do just that. I am here therefore, to solicit the governor’s support and everybody’s support to improve security in Imo State and the Southeast,” Major Gen Dada said.

AIG Zone 9 orders personnel to neutralise IPOB/ESN

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9, AIG Echeng Echeng, has charged Police personnel in Imo to neutralise IPOB/ESN elements enforcing the sit- at -home directive.

Echeng gave the charge during a familiarisation tour of the Imo command in Owerri on Thursday.

The AIG said the police would apply a stringent approach to fight insurgency, terrorism and other criminal activities within the zone.

“I will continuously ensure that we take the fight to those who do not want peace.

“There is nothing anybody can do without security.

“The economy of the state will not be affected by a group of miscreants who think they have control,” he stated.

“There is nothing anybody can do without security.

“The economy of the state will not be affected by a group of miscreants who think they have control,” he stated.

“Imo people deserve better than what they are getting now.

“They deserve peace, adequate security, economic growth and stability; and this we assure them,” Echeng noted.

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Barde, said the command had continued to battle IPOB/ESN with a view to bringing their activities to an end.

“So far, we have been winning the battle.

“The strategies adopted by the command has helped drastically to cut down violent crimes in the state to the barest minimum

“I am delighted to inform you that the general security in the state has improved.

“The command is working assiduously and determined to improve on the records already achieved so that the people of the state can enjoy relative peace,” Barde stated. (The Nation)