Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has condemned the alleged forceful conscription of Okigwe youths in Imo State into a criminal gang.

IPOB urged communities in Okigwe province to resist any forceful conscription into any gang.

In a statement, yesterday, the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful said membership of ESN or IPOB is voluntary and not by force, adding that recruitment into ESN was two years ago.

The statement reads: “The attention of the global family and IPOB, led by the great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to forceful conscription of some youths of Okigwe in Imo State into the criminal gang, known by all sorts of names, in the South East Region.

“IPOB totally disassociates itself from this forceful conscription and the consequential criminal activities going on in the Okigwe province and any other place in Biafra land.

“IPOB condemns the forceful conscription. We, therefore, reaffirm our commitment to a peaceful approach in demanding for our inalienable right to self-determination until further notice.”

For now, the only group in IPOB that bears arms are ESN Operatives. ESN Operatives are volunteers. ESN was established to dislodge Fulani terrorists masquerading as herdsmen, who hitherto occupied our bushes and forests from where they launched deadly attacks on our people in our communities.

“Therefore, let it be known to the youths, who joined the criminal conscription to understand that they are not IPOB or ESN members and are definitely not working for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”