The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that the governors of the old eastern region are planning to clamp down on the personnel of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
A statement signed by the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, claimed that the governors through traditional rulers and Presidents-General were recruiting local security men to engage the ESN in order to unleash the military.
IPOB stated that the governors have failed to protect the people of the region against invasion and attacks by herdsmen.
It therefore, wondered why the governors should be mobilizing against those who have stepped in to protect the lives of the people.
IPOB said it will hold the governor responsible in any state the personnel of ESN are attacked, as well as the leaders of the particular community that suffered the attack.
The pro-Biafra group vowed never to spare the leaders of any community where ESN personnel are attacked.
IPOB urged the military to channel its energy to the northern region where Boko Haram and bandits are holding sway.
“ESN is not a Biafran Army but a mere vigilante group set up to defend the people of the Old Eastern region against terrorists and criminals responsible for the growing insecurity in the region. ESN is not after law-abiding citizens but criminals. Members of the outfit have not molested any law abiding citizens but have remained in the forests to rid our land of terrorists and ensure our farms are safe again for our people to resume farming activities. They have done nothing to warrant any attack more so when the real terrorists and bandits are still killing and maiming innocent locals daily unchallenged by the highly compromised security agencies.
“ESN is a child of necessity which has come to stay. The failure of governors from the South East and South South to float a regional security outfit to protect the people against terrorists gave birth to ESN to do what the cowardly governors have failed to do. It’s the people’s movement and no amount of sabotage can stop it. Anyone standing in its way shall be crushed”, the statement reads.