The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from a report by the Nigerian Army claiming that it was responsible for the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center in Imo State on April 5, 2021.
IPOB in a statement released through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, on Friday, described the accusation as “dubiosity” and “media blackmail” by the Army authorities.
Powerful stated, “IPOB is not responsible for the Owerri jailbreak.
“The security agencies, especially the army, masterminded the attack to free criminals who have been used to create insecurity in the land of Biafra, particularly in Imo State, just to blackmail IPOB.”
IPOB claimed that the attack was masterminded by the Nigerian security forces.
He cited the proximity of the correctional centre to several security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Command headquarters, the State CID, six police stations, the Government House, DSS office, Naval Command, and Military base at Obinze.
The separatist group questioned why the surrounding security forces did not respond to the distressed calls during the attack, which lasted for nearly four hours without resistance or casualty.
“Where were all the surrounding security forces within Owerri when the attack was going on and numerous gunshots were heard?” Comrade Powerful asked.
“Who then ordered these security forces not to respond to the distressed calls during the attack which lasted nearly four hours? What kind of jailbreak can last four hours without confrontation from any of the avalanche of Security Forces in and around Owerri municipal if not coordinated by the Government itself?”
IPOB also claimed that the Nigerian government has refused to open an investigation into the attack for over three years, and only recently added the 2021 Owerri jailbreak to the list of its blackmailing strategies against IPOB in 2024.
He said, “The Nigerian Army should respect their institution and focus on confronting the insurmountable insecurity challenges in Nigeria instead of being a tool for government propaganda.”