The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday said its security outfit Eastern Security Network (ESN) has no hand in the abduction of a soldier in Ebem Ohafia in Abia State.
The group described as false claims by the Army that it raided ESN hideouts in Amangwu community of the State, in attempt to rescue an abducted soldier, Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan.
In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, IPOB insisted that ESN operatives do not have any camp in Amangwu Ohafia.
It stressed that if there is any such camp in the area, it is not ESN camp, adding that the armed gang at the camp are not working for the group.
The separatist group maintained that its security camps are secured and sacred territories, while its outfit constitute of disciplined gallant men and women who don’t don’t indulge in kidnapping and ransom.
The statement partly reads: “We wish to debunk concocted and state sponsored media blackmail by Nigeria Military claims that they invaded ESN camp in Ohafia, Biafraland.
“We have said it before now that ESN operatives do not have any camp in Amangwu Ohafia LGA. All the criminal camps that Nigeria Army have claimed to have invaded are not ESN camps.
“ESN camps are secured and sacred territories. ESN don’t indulge in kidnapping and collecting of ransom from innocent citizens who eventually lead military to those camps.
“The security agencies particularly the Military, Police, and DSS agents must stop their continuous blackmail and demonization of IPOB and ESN operatives for wanting Biafra Independence. The World and even the Nigeria Government know that we are innocent in all their allegations.
“ESN has no business or hand in the kidnapping of Army officer in Ebem Ohafia.
For Nigerian Army to claim that they raided the hideouts of Indigenous People Of Biafra or Eastern Security Network in Amangu Community, Abia State, in attempt to rescue an abducted soldier, Staff Sergeant Bassey Ikunugwan is false.
“If there is any such camp in Amangwu Community Ohafia, it is not ESN camp and those armed gang at the camp are not working for IPOB.
“It is a calculated attempt by the Nigeria State to blackmail IPOB anytime they invade any criminal hideout. This type of blackmail is no longer holding waters. It simply doesn’t work anymore. We advise Nigeria Government and its security agencies to change to another blackmailing format. This one has failed!
“IPOB and our ESN Operatives are disciplined gallant men and women who protect our people and do not engage in any criminality or kidnapping and snatching of cars.”
