IPOB to Nigerian Security Forces: Stop Lying Against Us, You Are the Real Terrorists

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared that Nigerian security agencies are spreading falsehoods by linking the group and its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to alleged criminal hideouts in Imo State.

In a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB described the claims as “propaganda warfare” aimed at demonizing the movement before the public.

The group stated categorically that it has no connection with the hideouts paraded by the Army and Police, insisting that security agencies deliberately attribute every crime in the South-East to IPOB and ESN. “Each time the Nigerian Army and Police are losing the battle of narratives, they manufacture lies and brand every crime in the East as IPOB/ESN,” the statement said.

IPOB urged the Army and Police to stop relying on secretive ex parte court orders and instead meet the group in open court. According to the statement, “It is cowardly and disgraceful that the country’s armed forces are more interested in propaganda headlines than due process.”

The group also rejected attempts to associate it with other organizations, such as BLA and BDF, noting that those groups have openly claimed responsibility for certain activities in Imo State and have distanced themselves from IPOB. It described the actions of the security agencies as “intellectual laziness and a shameful abuse of media power.”

IPOB reminded the public and international community that a Canadian court had previously designated Nigeria’s ruling and opposition parties, APC and PDP, as terrorist organizations. It contrasted that ruling with what it described as politically influenced judgments in Nigerian courts.

Reaffirming its position, the group stressed that it opposes all forms of criminal activity and condemned what it called the malicious attempt by security agencies to link IPOB to crimes it has no knowledge of.

Concluding, IPOB declared that no amount of propaganda can tarnish its global reputation as a peaceful movement. Emma Powerful said, “The world already knows the truth: IPOB is a lawful movement seeking freedom for Biafra, while Nigeria remains a failed state run by terrorists in uniform and in government houses.”