IPOB denies attacks on INEC offices in Imo

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has dissociated itself from recent attacks on the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri, Imo State.

It also stated that neither IPOB nor the Eastern Security Network (ESN) operatives has anything to do with Nigeria’s elections in 2023.

In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the separatist group said it has never supported nor get involved in any election obstruction or violence as a movement.
The group said: “The only actions we can take is to call our people to boycott voting if the need arises. But as of today, IPOB is not interested in Nigeria, including its electoral activities, and has never asked anyone to carry out any attack on our behalf.

“Linking IPOB and ESN to attacks on INEC offices by Nigeria government and police, has shown that they are misguided and deceitful, and don’t know the norms on which IPOB operates. Federal Government and security agencies are working day and night to blackmail IPOB. They sponsor criminals to attack government facilities, and then rush to the media to blame it on IPOB and ESN without investigation. There has never been anytime Nigeria Police carried out any public inquiry on attacks and arsons that they blamed IPOB for.

“It’s obvious that Nigeria Police have lost professional ethics, and are completely irredeemable. So, we ask that the country should be divided so that progressive nations will emerge to form responsive and responsible government entities like upright police institutions.”

IPOB reiterated that the ESN operatives had never attacked any INEC office “because we are not interested in Nigeria’s forthcoming election in 2023. Anyone or group blaming IPOB or ESN for attacks on INEC facilities is under the influence of powerful drugs. IPOB will not spare anybody using its name to disrupt election, and nobody should link us with those who are destroying election materials.”

IPOB disclosed that those attacking INEC facilities are working together to blackmail the group, noting: “This is why the same security agencies have never arrested any of the so-called attackers.

“Our leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has said it many times that he has not asked anyone to carry out any attack on his behalf; therefore, nobody should link us with the attack on INEC office in Owerri. IPOB is a civilised and disciplined Biafra independence movement. We are not criminals nor are we part of their election thugs.”