Yuletide: IPOB urges Igbos to return home, assures security

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), through its Directorate of State (DOS), has called on Ndigbo and Biafrans to return to their homeland to celebrate the Christmas season.

It assured that its Eastern Security Network (ESN) operatives will ensure safety and a peaceful atmosphere during the festive period.

In a statement signed by Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, the group reaffirmed its commitment to tackling insecurity in the South East region and emphasized its role in fostering peace and development.

IPOB described Alaigbo as a historically peaceful region and urged all Igbos to contribute to maintaining harmony, which is critical for the region’s economic growth. The group highlighted that peace and security in the South East should not lag behind other regions in Nigeria, even as it accused the Nigerian government of exacerbating insecurity in the region through militarization and alleged subjugation.

“We need peace to thrive as a strategic economic hub in Africa. Every Igbo man and woman must work towards peace and security in Alaigbo,” the statement read.

The group reiterated its commitment to securing investments in the South East and encouraged Igbos to bring their investments home to spur development and create job opportunities for the region’s youth.

IPOB warned criminals to steer clear of the South East, especially during the Christmas season, as ESN operatives and IPOB volunteers are actively working to make the region inhospitable for criminal activities.

The group also accused the Nigerian government and its security forces of sponsoring insecurity as a pretext for continued militarization of the region.

“We call for the dismantling of all indiscriminate and illegal military, police, and other checkpoints in the South East. These checkpoints are sources of extortion, intimidation, and harassment of travelers,” the group stated.

IPOB highlighted the role of ESN operatives in safeguarding Biafran bushes and forests to prevent criminal elements from using them as hideouts.

The group encouraged residents to contact ESN operatives when needed, through the published security information contact numbers.

The statement concluded with a call to all stakeholders to prioritize peace and development in Alaigbo, emphasizing IPOB’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and investments in the region.

About IPOB…

IPOB is a separatist organization that advocates for the independence of the Igbo people from Nigeria.

Founded in 2012 by Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB seeks to create a sovereign state called Biafra, which would comprise the southeastern regions of Nigeria.

IPOB’s methods have been a subject of controversy, with some viewing the group as a terrorist organization.

The group has been involved in various protests and demonstrations, and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has been arrested and detained on several occasions.

Despite the challenges it faces, IPOB remains a significant force in Nigerian politics, with a large following among the Igbo people.

Proscription…

IPOB was proscribed by the Nigerian government on September 20, 2017. The government accused IPOB of engaging in terrorist activities, including attacks on security personnel and destruction of property.

Additionally, the government claimed that IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had been inciting violence and hatred against other ethnic groups in Nigeria.

As a result, the government declared IPOB a terrorist organization and banned all its activities.

The proscription of IPOB has been a subject of controversy, with some arguing that it was an attempt to suppress freedom of speech and assembly. IPOB rejected the proscription, describing it as “illegal” and “unconstitutional.”

The group vowed to continue its activities, despite the ban. The proscription has also been challenged in court, but the decision was upheld by the Nigerian courts.

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