Ipob denies its armed wing ESN had anything to do with recent cannibalism in Imo State

SECESSIONIST group the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) has denied any involvement in the recent killings in Imo State saying its military wing the Eastern Security Network (ESN) is not involved in what it described as dastardly acts and barbarity.

Created as Ipob's armed wing the ESN has taken on the responsibility of confronting armed Fulani herdsmen across the southeast geo-political zone. Of late, however, it has been accused of acts of bringandry, including raiding police stations and carting away weapons and over the last week, ESN has been accused of carrying out murders in Imo State.

However, Ipob spokesperson, Emma Powerful, has vehemently denied this, saying the general public should understand that those behind the orgy of kidnapping and barbaric killings in Imo State have no link whatsoever with ESN. He alleged that the genocide is planned by the conspirator and his co-travellers to unleashing mayhem on Igbo people in their desperation to demonise ESN personnel and Ipob volunteers.

Ipob also condemned the cannibalism and atrocities of these criminals, claiming the camp found at Nkwere and other places where they roasted human beings and kept kidnap victims is not Ipob/ESN’s facility. Mr Powerful added: “We have nothing in common with agents of death and we don’t engage in barbarities and cannibalism of sorts.

“What is happening in Imo, particularly in Orsuihiteukwa, Nnempi, Ibiasoegbe, Awo-Mmamma, Orlu, Oru East, Oru West, Nkwere and their environs including Orsumoghu and entire Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State are the original plans to demonise Biafra agitators and ESN operatives and tag them as criminals but unfortunately their plan failed. Ipob/ESN operatives don’t engage in raping and kidnapping.

"That’s not part of their mandate. They are out to defend Imolites against terrorists and criminal herdsmen.”