The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have reacted to the recent killings in Mbano, Imo State. The police had earlier blamed IPOB and its armed group, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), for the violence.
The attack happened on Wednesday morning in Umualuaku community, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area. Gunmen reportedly stormed the area and shot wildly for hours, forcing people to hide inside their homes.
According to the Imo State Police spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, those responsible for the attack were suspected members of IPOB and ESN.
However, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, strongly denied these claims. He said neither IPOB nor ESN had anything to do with the killings and called the accusations false.
IPOB accused the security forces of being behind the killings. They claimed it was another case of government-backed violence meant to spread fear and blame IPOB unfairly.
The group said this has become a pattern. Every time their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, gains legal or public support, violence suddenly breaks out in the Southeast. IPOB believes this is done to distract from Kanu’s case and discredit their movement.
They also said the killings were carried out by unknown agents working inside the security services. According to IPOB, these people aim to make the Biafra movement look bad and discourage people from supporting their cause.
IPOB further accused Southeast political leaders of staying silent during these killings. They believe these leaders are more interested in staying in the federal government’s good books than protecting their people.
The group questioned how many young Igbo people must die before these leaders stop betraying their own people. They believe Nnamdi Kanu’s rising support scares these leaders.
IPOB made it clear once again that they were not involved in the Mbano attack. They said the real criminals are those who benefit from the violence and want to keep power through lies and fear. They dared the police to prove their claims in court rather than making press statements.
The group also said this trend of government-backed killings followed by false accusations must end. They promised to keep fighting for their leader and to keep exposing corruption in the justice system.
IPOB’s media team said they will not stop speaking out. They believe every innocent life lost deserves justice and that the truth will eventually come out.
In conclusion, IPOB said the killings in Igboland will never be forgotten. They held the Nigerian government and their local allies responsible for the ongoing bloodshed in the region.
