The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has praised its security outfit, Eastern Security Network (ESN) for its doggedness in confronting those it referred to as terrorists masquerading as herdsmen on July 22 at Lokpanta, Abia State.

The group reiterated it was after terrorists masquerading as herdsmen to kidnap and destroy lives and farmlands in the area, and not pursuing responsible people from carrying out their legitimate businesses.

In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB warned terrorists against attacking any community in the area, Insisting herdsmen would no longer be allowed to do business in the event of an attack on the market.

The separatist group maintained that its security outfit has the responsibility to keep its land safe for its people and lawful residents, assuring that it would not renege on such obligation.

The statement reads in part: “We commend the doggedness of our great security outfit called the Eastern Security Network (ESN) who confronted the terrorists masquerading as herdsmen at Lokpanta on 22nd July 2022.

“We commend the IPOB leadership who has seen what our people are passing through in the hands of these terrorists kidnapping for ransom, raping our mothers in the farms, killing of our men in their farms and snatching cars from all the travellers following the routes in Isiukwuato, Umunneochi, Isuochi and Okigwe since over two years but the government refused to heed to the crying of the citizens.

“IPOB hails them for doing the needful at that area, we are not pursuing responsible Fulanis not to do their legitimate business. But we are after those terrorists masquerading as herdsmen kidnapping and destroying our people’s lives and farmlands in that area.

“IPOB and ESN are responsible for the killing of cows encroaching into people’s farmlands. We also warn the terrorists not to venture attack any community in the area as in their nature. If they attack any community, that means fulani will no longer be allowed to do business again in that market.

“IPOB advise all herdsmen in a legitimate business to ensure they stay within the designated areas assigned for them in the market. They must not exceed the square meters and measurements given to them in that market. If they do, they will have scores to settle with IPOB.

“IPOB is not a terrorist movement, our focus is on a peaceful Biafra Referendum for citizens of Biafra to decide their fate in the Nigeria project.”

Source: The Nation