IPOB has absolved its members of the attack on INEC staff in Imo.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has exonerated its members from the ongoing security challenges in the south east, particularly the recent attack on the staff of the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Ihitte uboma local government area.
Unknown gunmen numbering about 12, had on Thursday, April 14, stormed the Ihitte Uboma local government area in Imo State and shot dead a staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Okorie Anthony, at the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration Exercise (CVR).
The attack which drew condemnations from Nigerians, forced the Commission to suspend further registration activities in the council, according to an announcement by its national officer in charge of information, Festus Okoye.
In a statement, IPOB director of publicity, Emma Powerful, stated that members of the group were not behind the attack on the INEC staff in Imo.
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Emma equally disassociated the group from the rumor making the rounds that IPOB members are the ‘Unknown Gunmen’, that have been killing people.
The statement stressed: “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU, strongly condemn the attack on INEC staff at Ihite Uboma LGA of Imo State.
“We are also warning these traitors and enemies of Biafra behind these barbaric attacks to stop or be ready to reap the reward of their atrocities. IPOB cannot afford to allow them to continue to terrorise our people or demonise our peaceful organisation as some uninformed people appoint accusing fingers at us.
“IPOB is not happy with these criminal activities going on in our region because we don’t want this to continue and we are going to expose those behind this evil in the region.
“Anybody involved in this act will regret it. We totally disassociate from this act of criminality. IPOB volunteers and ESN have no hands in this criminal act that criminals randomly carry out against our people.
“We have made it clear to the public severally that IPOB members are not unknown gunmen and we cannot be because we have objective which is to restore Biafra as a free, Independent and Sovereign Nation.
“Anybody who is involved in this evil act on INEC officers at Ihitte Uboma LGA will pay dearly. The masterminds are being sponsored by unfortunate politicians thinking they can jeopardise our decision to make Biafra freedom a reality.
“We want to make it publicly known that IPOB and its security units did not attack INEC officers in Imo State. IPOB will not relent in discovering those behind this devilish activities and expose them.”