The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which is fighting for self-rule in southeast Nigeria, has disputed the claim by the Nigerian Army that it has arrested the second in command to Ikonso Don, the commander of the Eastern Security Network killed by security forces last month.
IPOB described the claim as “a blatant lie and a cheap propaganda to lay false claims to imaginary military prowess.”
In a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, and made available to newsmen, the group declared that the said man was not an operative of ESN.
“Such a man is too old to be recruited into ESN let alone being Ikonso’s Second-in-Command,” it said.
“That you ambushed Ikonso with the help of some traitors did not mean you have crushed ESN. Stop claiming what you have not done in your bid to win public accolades. If you arrest or kill Ikonso’s Second-in-Command, we will not hesitate to admit it just the same way we did not deny the murder of Ikonso. We are not like Nigeria that lives in propaganda; we tell the truth always. So, stop harassing innocent Biafrans in the name of a manhunt for ESN personnel,” he said.
The man, identified as Awurum Eze was arrested in Aba, Abia State, the Army said in a statement by its spokesman Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima.
“The 48 years old Awurum Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano LGA, Imo State, had on the 4th of May 2021 escaped when operatives of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano where he was hiding,” Yerima said.
“Intensive manhunt was thereafter launched towards tracing and arresting him. “He was eventually apprehended on Wednesday, 12 May 2022, in Aba after weeks of unrelenting follow-ups by operatives. “Awurum Eze is one of the main sponsors of the numerous killings in Imo State and has been on the wanted list of security agents for more than 3 months.
“Many of the arrested IPOB /ESN terrorists had earlier mentioned him as their key sponsor, mastermind and Second in Command to late Ikonso.
“According to them, amongst all their leaders in Imo State, only Ikonso and Awurum have a direct communication link with Nnamdi Kanu. He can be seen in several photographs posing with the fugitive terrorist leader, Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement said, adding that: “Investigation by a combined team of security operatives continues”.
The federal government declared on Tuesday that an attack on any security officer amounted to a declaration of war.
Powerful asked Nigeria security agents to “stop making a mockery of themselves. The arrest of innocent Biafrans and labeling them ESN operatives cannot make you overpower our gallant ESN operatives”.
“Our background check revealed that the said man had issues with his traditional ruler who gave his contact to the security agents alleging that he belongs to ESN. He is not our own.” He noted further that “We are assuring them that whatever they do, they cannot win ESN in this fight for freedom. The secret killing and abduction can never make IPOB change our resolve towards restoring Biafra as an independent nation.”
IPOB and the ESN, its militant wing have been fingered in most of the attacks on security operatives in the South East, Akwa Ibom, and the Rivers States, although the two organizations have always denied their involvement.
