Army tackles IPOB over Biafra National Guard, unknown gunmen

The Nigeria Army  has washed its hands off the formation of the Biafra National Guard and activities of the unknown gunmen in the South-east, describing attempts to link it with the outfit as a hoax designed by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to rubbish the ongoing military exercise in the South-east.

A statement on Saturday by Director Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, entitled, ‘Conspiracy Pretext Employed By IPOB/ESN, A Hoax,’ partly read: “The Nigerian Army(NA) is not unmindful of the antics of individuals or groups whose stock in trade is to peddle falsehood and disinformation to remain relevant in South-East Nigeria. One of such scheming, currently in the media domain is the mischievous submission by Kalu Odinakachi, who alleged that the DMI and DSS created and funded BNG, UGM to Enforce-Sit- at Home in a bid to discredit IPOB/ESN. It must be abundantly clarified that this spurious allegation is unfounded and could be absolutely described as a hoax.

“Though the NA would not like to elevate such purveyors of disinformation and propaganda, it is expedient to put on record, that in recent times, the activities of IPOB/ESN have undoubtedly assumed a violent dimension. This unimaginable level of violence is oiled with propaganda and disinformation to whip-up sentiments and draw sympathy from unsuspecting citizens in the region.

“For the records, the proscribed organisation has in recent times foisted a sit-at-home order to show sympathy for their self-acclaimed leader. This was greeted with violence, orchestrated destruction of public installations and facilities, arson, as well as looting of shops and malls in the region, to demonstrate their criminal potency. They defiled the sanctity of the highly revered traditional institution of Ndigbos by recklessly murdering their own traditional leaders. These spineless and irresponsible actions targeted at the very people they claim they want to liberate, clearly unmask their heinous and directionless agenda for Ndigbos.

“Realising the futility, hollowness and public rejection of their violent agitation, they resorted to twisting the narrative in the region to galvanise local support. Their wild allegation that BNG and UGN were an overt operation by the DMI and DSS is not only laughable but remains largely illusive and a ploy to diminish the public support the NA is savouring in the ongoing exercises. In his blatant display of ignorance, Odinakachi failed to realise that such designation as DMI has since ceased to exist in the NA. These criminal elements with their cohorts must come to terms with the reality of the ongoing Exercise GOLDEN DAWN and turn themselves in to security agencies or be ready to face the consequences of their lawlessness.”

However, IPOB has also denied having any relationship with the Biafra National Guard.

The pro-Biafra agitators said in a statement issued by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, that its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is averse to acts of criminality, which are antithetical to the group’s beliefs.

The statement read: “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra ably led by our prophet and indefatigable leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to alert IPOB families worldwide and the international community that we do not know of a group called Biafra National Guard and should not be linked in a shape or form with this group whose activities do not correspond with IPOB’S fundamental objectives.

“We have observed the unpatriotic and nefarious activities of this group and we hereby unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the group and its activities.

“This group has no link whatsoever with IPOB and does not work for IPOB. IPOB has nothing to do with any group associated with criminality. Our mandate is the peaceful restoration of Biafra, anything other than this will have nothing to do with us.”

The statement also dissociated IPOB from all acts of criminality and vowed to deal with anyone caught perpetrating such evil.

It further said: “Our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU does not encourage criminality or any action injurious to the people of Biafra. We don’t encourage extortion or forceful collection of fuel and other lubricants from any petrol station in Biafraland. This is the criminality that cannot be condoned in Biafra land.

“Anybody or group caught in such barbaric act will be seriously dealt with. Some evil politicians are using crimially minded elements to foment trouble in our land.”