The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for an independent investigation into the extrajudicial killings that took place in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
In a statement released on Friday, IPOB distanced its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), from the killings, instead linking the activities at the Mother Valley camp in Orsu to a group known as the Biafra Liberation Army.
IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, commended the efforts that led to the removal of criminals from Orsu after three years of violence that left the community devastated. He alleged that the Biafra Liberation Army was formed to destabilize the Southeast using the prolonged detention of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as a pretext.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide calls for an independent investigation into the extrajudicial killings in Orsu. We commend the security forces and vigilantes for dislodging the criminals from the Mother Valley camp in Orsu, regardless of their motives,” the statement read.
He further claimed that the Biafra Liberation Army, led by individuals he described as impostors, was recruited and armed by the Nigerian state to impersonate IPOB and ESN. According to him, the goal was to create evidence that would justify terrorism charges against Kanu, who has been in detention for nearly four years.
Powerful accused both state-backed and non-state actors of waging a violent campaign against IPOB and the Igbo people, using the group’s name to commit atrocities. He praised IPOB’s media team and supporters for consistently exposing and dissociating the movement from these criminals.
He also claimed IPOB had been vocal in identifying the perpetrators of violence in Orsu and surrounding areas, including a leader known as Temple, alias Butuzo. He questioned why the Imo State government allowed these alleged criminals to operate freely for over three years before taking action.
“Why was Imo State a haven for these state-sponsored criminals? Why did it take over three years for the security forces to dislodge them when their location was public knowledge?” he asked.
While acknowledging the security forces’ efforts in reclaiming Orsu, Powerful urged them to extend their operations to Aku forest in Okigwe, where another armed group allegedly operates under a leader known as Gentle Yahoo.
He reiterated that IPOB and ESN do not support violence against innocent civilians and have consistently condemned attacks on the Igbo people, whether by criminals or security agencies.
IPOB further demanded a thorough investigation into the events in Orsu, insisting that all those found responsible—including state actors and militias—should be prosecuted. Additionally, the group called on the Nigerian and Imo State governments to compensate affected communities and families who lost loved ones, including those allegedly executed extrajudicially by security forces.
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