The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for a thorough investigation into the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State, following the arraignment of five suspects over the incident.

The group said the suspects’ identities raised questions about the attribution of kidnappings and other criminal activities in the South-East to its members and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) before investigations establish those responsible.

The suspects were identified as Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Mohammed Ali, Aminu Haliru and Ibrahim Jiji.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB said the case reinforced its longstanding position that its members and ESN had been wrongly blamed for insecurity in the region.

The group argued that, had the suspects not been apprehended, Igbo youths and ESN members might have been accused of the crime, potentially exposing innocent people to arrest and other alleged mistreatment.

“Had this atrocious kidnapping happened without these suspects being caught, who would the Nigerian security apparatus and hostile media have blamed?” IPOB asked.

The group said previous incidents in the South-East had similarly been attributed to IPOB and ESN, insisting that criminal allegations should be subjected to evidence-based investigations.

IPOB maintained that its members were not responsible for kidnappings in the region, adding that ESN was established to protect communities, farmers and residents against armed attacks.

The group commended the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Imo State and the prosecuting team, describing the case as an opportunity to establish the facts surrounding the abduction.

It called for a comprehensive investigation into the suspects’ identities, origins, networks and alleged accomplices, urging authorities to make the findings public in accordance with the law.

IPOB also urged security agencies to investigate criminal activities based on evidence rather than ethnicity, political affiliation or unverified allegations.

The statement renewed the group’s criticism of the continued detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that his warnings about security threats in the region had not received adequate attention.

IPOB further called on South-East governors and political leaders to strengthen security in rural communities and forests, protect lives and property, and ensure that innocent residents were not unfairly associated with criminal activities. (Vanguard)