The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has dissociated itself from the early Monday attacks on Imo Police Headquarters and Prisons in Owerri, the state capital.
In the well-coordinated, commando-like operations the attackers set free about 2,000 prisoners and proceeded to the State Police Command Headquarters where they set free about 600 suspects being held in custody.
In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the attacks were not carried out by operatives of Eastern Security Network (ESN), its military wing.
“The attention of IPOB has been drawn again to the fallacious and fabricated news that IPOB and ESN are involved in the attack of prison and police
“IPOB and ESN are known groups, not unknown gunmen. ESN is in the bush chasing Fulani terrorists, why linking IPOB and ESN to this attack. IPOB and ESN were not involved in the attack in Owerri Imo State. and the recent attack on Onitsha Owerri road at Ukwuorji junction. It is not our mandate to attack security personnel or prison facilities.
“The Nigeria Government and her compromised media outfits should stop linking IPOB and ESN to the multiple attacks going on in Nigeria now. IPOB was formed on principle of peace and we are still in it. Unknown gunmen is (sic) a different people which we don’t know them (sic) and they not IPOB or ESN security outfit,” he said.
