The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing has asked the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to disband its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) with immediate effect.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Acting National Leader of Ohanaeze Youth Wing, Mr. Onwuasoanya FCC Jones.
Mr. Jones also urged all South East governors and all political leaders in the region to ensure that Ebubeagu takes off across all parts of Ala Igbo.
The statement titled “IPOB should disband ESN, get all fighters genuinely interested in South East security to join Ebubeagu“, said:
“Going by ongoing security breaches and undeniable cases of terrorist acts in the Southeast, it has become unavoidable to make the following observations and demands;
1. Even though the perpetrators of these terrorist acts on Southeast soil have variously and unabashedly made it clear that they are advancing the ideologies and programs, which were initially championed by the Indigenous People of Biafra, the leadership of IPOB has vehemently denied authorizing any of the recent killings, arsons, destructions, economic sabotage and glaring terrorist activities being perpetrated across the Southeast.
2. This situation leaves no doubt that the leadership of the IPOB has either lost control of the situation or some fifth columnists have hijacked the initiative and are now hiding under its the Biafran agitation to wreck havoc across the Southeast.
3. It therefore becomes pertinent to invite the IPOB leadership to take steps towards quickly redeeming herself by;
i. Disbanding the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as it remains an illegal militant and armed group.
ii. Encourage all members and volunteers who are genuinely interested in the security and safety of the Southeast to make themselves available to be recruited into the official Southeast Security Network, the Ebubeagu.
4. It is disheartening that more than five months since the idea was first mooted by Southeast governors, it is only in Ebonyi State that one could confirm the presence of Ebubeagu, the other four Southeast governors have either reneged from the agreement to set up this regional security outfit or are reluctant to release the funds and logistics necessary for the effective takeoff of the outfit.
“Let me therefore advise the governors that steps should be taken immediately to empower, recruit and equip personnel for Ebubeagu, as the continued delay in getting the outfit running is emboldening criminals to continue to wreck havoc in the region.”
