Nnamdi Kanu Speaks On The Alleged Arrest Of Late ESN Commnder, Ikonso's "Second-in-Command" By Nigerian Army

Adsense

“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." IPOB said

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reacted to the claims by the Nigerian Army that it arrested the second-in-command of the late Ikonso Don in Aba, Abia State on Wednesday.

Ikonso was said to be a top commander of IPOB's security arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

According to the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB, the man the security agents claimed to have arrested is too fragile to be an operative of the Eastern Security Network, talk more of being the second-in-command to Ikonso.

IPOB stated unambiguously that it would not deny if truly the security agencies captured or killed any ESN member just as it confirmed the death of the late Ikonso.

However, it added that the Nigerian Army and its sister agents are fond of deceiving Nigerians to attract shameful compliments.

Kanu said this in a post on his authentic Facebook handle on Wednesday.

"The truth is that killing innocent people is always wrong - and no argument or excuse  no matter how deeply believed can ever make it right ".

"Abduction of weak and innocent people in Biafra land is gaining momentum in the hands of the so called security agents ( TERRORISTS IN UNIFORMS).

"HAS ANYBODY HARD OF #ESN HEADQUARTERS ANYWHERE IN BIAFRALAND OUT SIDE IN OUR FORESTS, PLEASE LET THE WORLD NOW?

"It is said that Mr Eze the second commander of ESN in Imo state was arrested by Nigerian joint security forces at ESN headquarters... maybe in IKONSO HOUSE in IMO STATE, like always they kept on trying everything within their reach to mislead the citizens, but NEVER BIAFRANS.

"M Branch knows where their torture chambers are in the capital city of Owerri. Very soon they will receive the appropriate results. #ESN we #moveforward" Kanu said

Subsequently, IPOB, on Thursday, in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful also made it clear that the Army's report was not only false but mischievous.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Mohammed Yerima in a release said, “The Second-in-Command to the neutralised IPOB/ESN terrorist leader Ikonso, Awurum Eze, has been arrested by security operatives in Aba, Abia State.

“The 48-year-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.

“Intensive manhunt was thereafter launched towards tracing and arresting him. He was eventually apprehended on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Aba after weeks of unrelenting follow-ups by operatives.

In its reaction on Thursday, the IPOB said, “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, read with utter amusement, media reports of claims by the Nigeria Army that it arrested Ikonso's Second-in-Command in Aba. This is a blatant lie and a cheap propaganda to lay false claims to imaginary military prowess.

ALSO READ: Is Kanu Vindicated?: The President Behaves As If He Is Not The "Real General Buhari" – Presidential Sources

“The said man is not an operative of ESN. Such a man is too old to be recruited into ESN let alone being Ikonso's Second-in-Command.

“The Nigeria Army that is too weak to confront bandits and terrorists overrunning Northern communities can fabricate any propaganda in quest to deceive the gullible minds. The Nigeria security agents should stop making mockery of themselves. Arrest of innocent Biafrans and labelling them ESN operatives cannot make you overpower our gallant ESN operatives,” the statement read partly.

Furthermore, the largest mass movement said the man, Eze, arrested was betrayed by his traditional ruler who allegedly had a row with him.

The IPOB, however, reiterated that the arrest of Eze is part of the ploy of the Nigerian army to keep harassing, arresting and killing the people of the South-East to frustrate Biafra agitation.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“Again, we wish to remind Biafrans and the world, of a grand plot by the Nigeria security agencies to reduce Biafra population through the ongoing secret abductions and killings of innocent Biafrans after tagging them IPOB and ESN members.

“This wicked plot which started in Imo State is now gaining momentum across the entire Biafra land through the collaboration of some traitors in the mould of Supreme Court administrator of Imo State Hope Uzodinma and his likes.

“Biafrans of all age brackets are now at the mercy of the double-faced Nigeria security agents as all they need to arrest and kill them off is to brand them ESN operative or sponsor,” the group said in the statement.

Adsense