By Karen James
The pro-Biafra group pledges collaboration to protect the Southeast and beyond.
The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced its willingness to collaborate with Nigerian security agencies in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality across the country.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group emphasized its commitment to maintaining peace and security, particularly in the Southeast region, and expressed readiness to work alongside the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Military, and other security forces to curb the activities of ISWAP terrorists and armed bandits.
“The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the command of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to reiterate our position to the world and Nigerians that IPOB remains focused on safeguarding the Southeast and South-South regions,” Powerful stated.
He highlighted the contributions of IPOB’s security outfit, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in protecting communities from the threats posed by ISWAP, Fulani herdsmen, and other criminal groups. According to him, the ESN has been instrumental in ensuring that Biafraland remains largely free from the violence and insecurity plaguing other parts of the country.
“By stopping these killers from the Sahel—be they ISWAP, Fulani killer herdsmen, or their armed Sharia law advocates—ESN has continued to demonstrate loyalty to its core mandate of protecting the entire Southeast from these threats,” Powerful said.
He further emphasized IPOB’s resolve to discharge its responsibilities with honor and discipline, noting the group’s success in maintaining security within the Southeast and South-South regions.
“In this singular regard, IPOB has fulfilled its pledge to secure the borders of ancient Igboland from the ravaging excesses of killer herdsmen. The fact that Southeast and South-South governors are not lamenting insecurity, as seen in other regions, is due to the stellar job ESN has done and will continue to do,” Powerful concluded.
The announcement comes amidst heightened security challenges across Nigeria, with IPOB reaffirming its dedication to ensuring peace and stability within its regions of focus. This move has sparked conversations on the potential benefits of collaborative security efforts in addressing the nation’s escalating security crisis.
