IPOB Dissociates Self From Anambra Militant Camp Raided By Nigerian Military, Links It To Finland-based Simon Ekpa

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has claimed that a camp recently raided by the Nigerian military was operated by a criminal gang allegedly linked to the Finland-based Biafra Nation agitator, Simon Ekpa.

The military recently destroyed a camp around Eke Ututu market at Orsumoghu in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

According to the military, the camp belongs to IPOB’s militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

But IPOB in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said in its previous press releases, it identified Ekpa as the one operating the said camps.

Powerful said the members of the criminal gang initially paraded themselves as ESN members but later metamorphosed into the Liberation Army as those terrorising the community of Uli, Lilu, Nnewi South and Orsumoghu.

IPOB said, “It is crystal clear that those dissenting creatures operating around Eke Ututu ancient market were not ESN operatives and IPOB volunteers.

“The leader of the criminal gang operating along Uli, Lilu, Nnewi South, and Orsumoghu is called Temple, otherwise known as Butuzor. Severely, in previous press releases, we condemned Butuzor as a criminal and the head of the kidnapping gangs in Imo State and Anambra State.

Moreso, there have been several viral audio leaks between Butuzor and Simon Ekpa and other autopilot groups discussing their criminal activities in the Southeast.”

The IPOB spokesperson further stated that “Butuzor is the commander general of the criminal autopilot group impersonating IPOB who claimed they are fighting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, but our leader, Nnamdi Kanu has disassociated himself from them.

“IPOB said it before now that we don’t have camps for ESN operatives at Orsuihiteukwa, Ihitenansa, of Imo State and Ihiala, Nnewi South local government areas, Okija, Isseke, Mbosi, Orsumoghu and Azia communities in Anambra State.

“IPOB and ESN are peacefully focused on protecting and restoring our new nation, and we don’t indulge in kidnapping, snatching of cars of innocent citizens, or other criminal activities. The Nigerian government and her security agencies know the truth.

“The Nigerian government and its security agencies should do themselves a favour and stop linking ESN/IPOB into gimmicks and antics of criminality.

“We are an upright freedom fighting movement focused on the peaceful restoration of the Biafra Nation through a UN-supervised referendum when common sense finally prevails among the Nigeria government handlers.”

Using criminal elements to impersonate and blackmail IPOB’s self-determination movement are efforts in futility,” he said.