The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), have issued a stern warning to traditional rulers in Nigeria's Southeast region.
The group accuses these leaders of accepting bribes from terrorists disguised as herders, thereby enabling criminal activities such as rape, kidnapping, and murder within their communities.
In a statement released on August 15, 2024, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful expressed grave concerns over the actions of some traditional rulers.
"We, the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by the great and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, raise concerns about the way the traditional leaders and rulers collect money from terrorists masquerading as herdsmen and allow them into spaces to operate freely in our communities," he said.
Powerful emphasized that both IPOB and ESN would not tolerate any form of collaboration with these criminal elements. "IPOB-ESN operatives are issuing a warning to those compromised Traditional Rulers across Biafraland to be very careful to know that this singular action of theirs can automatically become detrimental because IPOB-ESN doesn’t play when it comes to the issue of Fulani terrorists masquerading as herdsmen’s operations in our land," he added.
The group also alleged that some state governors are involved in these illicit deals, further complicating efforts to secure the region. "We are aware that some state governors are involved in this dirty deal as well. Do not be surprised that IPOB-ESN operatives will never allow them to succeed," Powerful stated.
IPOB-ESN has vowed to monitor all traditional leaders in Biafraland closely and treat those found collaborating with these criminals as adversaries. "If you know that you are a traditional ruler in Igboland who has made a deal or entered into a business contract to allocate land for Fulani settlement, you better stop it now and know that you are endangering lives, including your own," warned Powerful. "Know that if we catch you, you will regret your actions against our land."
The group concluded by urging traditional rulers to reconsider their actions and align with efforts to safeguard Igboland.
"We are not begging you to stop, but we are informing you that your life is in danger because ESN will treat you as working for our enemies against the interest of our land and our people," Powerful cautioned.
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