IPOB assures Ndigbo returning home for Christmas that the Eastern Security Network will ensure peace in the South-East during the festive period.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring security and peace in the South-East region, especially during the upcoming Christmas season.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB assured both the people of the South-East and Ndigbo in the Diaspora that the region would be peaceful, with operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) ensuring security throughout the festive period.
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The statement read in part, “The Directorate of State of the global family and movement of IPOB under the command of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wishes to reiterate once again our commitment to end insecurity in the South-East region.”
It further assured the people wishing to return home for Christmas that they would experience a peaceful environment.
IPOB encouraged the Ndigbo to come home and celebrate the season as usual, stating, “We also encourage our people who wish to return home to enjoy the Christmas season as usual, with the assurance that ESN operatives will provide a peaceful atmosphere during the festive period.”
The pro-Biafran group also stressed the importance of peace in the region, with IPOB reaffirming that Igbo land is inherently peaceful.
“Igbo land is a very peaceful region. IPOB encourages our people to contribute our best to ensure that it remains peaceful,” the statement said, adding that peace was vital for the region to thrive as a strategic economic hub in Africa.
The statement also criticised the Nigerian government for its security presence in the South-East, describing it as a form of occupation.
“The Nigerian security forces’ presence in our region makes us vulnerable and creates more insecurity,” it claimed, highlighting that IPOB would take responsibility for providing security in the region.
IPOB also called on Ndigbo to return their investments home, aiming to encourage local development and create job opportunities for Biafran youths.
“IPOB has called on Ndigbo to return their investments home to encourage more development for employment for Biafran youths. We are committed to making sure that the investments are secure,” the statement added.
Finally, the group warned criminal elements to stay out of the region during the festive season, stressing that IPOB volunteers and ESN operatives would make the area inhospitable to criminals, whether state-sponsored or ordinary criminals.
