The Nigerian Army has directed its troops to “deal decisively” with threats from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) led by Finland-based Simon Ekpa.
It directed soldiers to ensure non-compliance with the five-day sit-at-home order declared in South East Nigeria by Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained IPOB leader.
Ekpa had on Sunday declared a five-day sit-at-home in the region over the continued detention of Kanu, saying that it would commence on December 15 and end on December 19, 2023.
Explaining that the civil disobedience was to demand the immediate release of Kanu and call for a referendum on independence for Biafra, Ekpa noted that the sit-at-home is necessary to end the militarisation of the South East region.
He therefore called on residents, traders, market women, and companies in the region to adhere strictly to the directive.
But the Army, in reacting to Ekpa’s declaration, directed its troops, via a signal, to “deal decisively” with any threat from IPOB and ESN to ensure non-compliance with Ekpa’s order.
According to the signal dated December 14 and signed by Brigadier General A. Wende: “THE NEED FOR AGGRESSIVE JT PTL DURING THE PROPOSED SIT-AT-HOME ORDER ON 15 DEC 23 IN THE SE REGION. EYE AM DIR TO CONVEY TO COMDS AND COs THAT IPOB/ESN HAVE PROPOSED 15 DEC 23 AS SIT-AT-HOME DAY. CONSEQUENTLY.”
“FMNS/UNITS ARE REQ TO CONDUCT ABOVE MENTIONED SUBJ WITHIN AOR TO DEAL DECISIVELY WITH ANY THREAT FROM IPOB/ESN IN ORDER TO ENSURE NON COMPLIANCE OF THE SIT-AT-HOME ORDER. PSE ACK///”
Though the Finland-based Ekpa has repeatedly pledged allegiance to IPOB leader Kanu, he leads a faction of IPOB called “Autopilots.”
He recently declared himself the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE).