The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself and its security arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN), from the renewed attacks that have led to the killings of policemen in Enugu State in the last few days.

No fewer than two attacks have been launched at police checkpoints in Enugu State in the past three weeks, resulting in casualties. The first was carried out at about 9:00 p.m. on December 27, last year, at Zik Avenue, allegedly claiming the lives of two police officers with their patrol van set ablaze.

The second was carried out last Thursday in front of the Police Detective College, Agbani Road, with a patrol van set on fire. While sources alleged the killing of four officers in the attack, the Police admitted that only two of its officers were killed, adding that the hoodlums had escaped with gunshot wounds.

However, a statement by Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, linked the attacks to the IPOB/ESN. Responding to the development, IPOB said it had no hand in the attacks. A statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, noted that its operatives do not target Nigerian Security Forces, regretting, however, that Nigerian Security Forces have upheld their “deceit and slander against the peaceful movement for over a decade.”

Powerful added that since its inception, IPOB has upheld a peaceful strategy while safeguarding Biafra land from state-backed jihadists and terrorists. It reiterated that the ESN was established to combat the deadly Fulani terrorists that were devastating Biafran territory before its creation.

He said: “The Nigerian Government is distressed as the ESN, created and financed by the IPOB worldwide movement, has hindered their jihad plans in the Biafran territory. This frustration is evidenced by orchestrated blackmail targeting IPOB and ESN for years, which have consistently been ineffective.

“Consequently, the Enugu State Police ought to prioritise safeguarding citizens rather than attributing their shortcomings in protecting lives, including those of their inadequately trained officers, to IPOB and ESN.

“The Nigerian Government and its lethal security forces have executed numerous false flag operations to eliminate certain scapegoat officers to intimidate IPOB and ESN. Working for the Nigerian Government is dangerous, as you could be used as a pawn in terrorism schemes, political blackmail, or to serve political agendas.”

The group accused the Nigerian Security Forces of contributing “to 80 per cent of the insecurity in the South-East and across the country, adding that majority of the unsolved murders, arson incidents, and damage attributed to the unidentified murders, arson, and damages attributed to unidentified gunmen were allegedly executed by the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, or the criminals they supported. (The Guardian, but headline rejigged)