The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the military, Police and other security agencies of “cowardice ad unprofessional” conduct for “Alleged attacks against innocent villagers” on Ehime Mbano and Orumba communities in Imo and Anambra States.
While condemning the reprisal attacks, the group demanded “a stop to military and Police hostility against the affected communities.”
According to a statement by the group Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB admonished the Nigeria Security Forces to “go after the killers of their colleagues,” saying that “they shouldn’t claim ignorance of not knowing who the assailants were. They are not hiding their actions.”
According to the group: “The act of reprisal from Nigeria Military against unarmed civilians and communities anytime gunmen attacks them is not only unprofessional but a display of cowardice and brutality. How can a well trained and armed military and Police not defend themselves against armed criminals but carry out revenge on the traumatized and helpless villagers over their loss? The unprofessional conduct of Nigeria Security Forces who kill innocent people and burn properties within the communities when they are attacked by unknown gunmen in the Southeast is barbaric.
“In the Northern Region of Nigeria, where terrorists have been butchering Nigeria Security Forces for over 20 years, the military don’t vent their anger and frustration on the innocent communities. Why then should innocent people of Southeast bear the brunt of the actions of the criminal gangs?
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are not happy with the military invasion of the communities who are not responsible for the murder of their colleagues. Did the Nigeria Army and Police do any investigation to confirm that the assailants who murdered their colleagues were people from the communities they invaded? Why invade, kill, maim, and burn homes and businesses of innocent villagers who are also victims of these criminal gangs?
“The unwarranted attacks, invasion, killings, and destruction of innocent citizen’s homes and communities for whatever reason is a state sponsored terrorism against Biafrans. Military does not invade Northern communites in retaliation when bandits and terrorists shoot down military planes and butcher security men. Alaigbo has become a territory to be invaded at will because most of our political leaders have made themselves willing tools for subjugation against the people.
“This unprovoked attacks on innocent civilians by Nigeria Security must be stopped or they will radicalized more Igbo youths for revenge.
“IPOB stands for justice. Nigeria Security should go after the killers of their colleagues and leave our people alone. If they can’t go after and confront the criminals, they should not vent their frustrations on our innocent people. Stop killing our innocent youths. Stop burning homes and properties of innocent people in retaliation. Stop abducting our youths and executing them because you can’t go after armed criminals.
“Irrespective of all sponsored criminal activities and media hype of insecurity in the Southeast, Igboland remains peaceful compared to other regions in Nigeria. In an attempt to stop IPOB and ESN from peacefully agitating for Biafra, the Nigeria government sponsored insecurity, tagging it on IPOB as a conduit to invade our communities. The military must stop the nonsense because Igbo Land is not a conquered territory.
“Nigeria Security Forces should go after the killers of their colleagues. They shouldn’t claim ignorance of not knowing who the assailants were. They are not hiding their actions. Nigeria Security Forces should face the armed gangs and leave our civilian populace to breathe. Biafrans’ desire for Biafra Independence is an inalienable right, not a declaration of war. Same right, Nigerians demanded and got from Britain in 1960.”