Resist Political Witch Hunt, Fight for Peace in the South East – IPOB to Igbo Politicians

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has called on Igbo politicians in the south-east to desist from “political witch hunts”, saying that instead of political divisions, every effort should be made to reduce crime and insecurity in the region.

In a statement by its spokesperson Emma Powerful, IPOB said: “In recent times, the South East region has become restless due to the activities of criminals sponsored by the Federal Government. Violent criminals and kidnappers are sponsored by certain foreign interests and their collaborators through their government agents whose interests lie in exploiting the natural resources on our soil.

“The South East is known internationally and locally as the most peaceful and safe region in Nigeria. For four years in a row, the South East has been recognized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as the safest and most secure place in Nigeria. However, the Nigerian government and its Western allies have begun sponsoring politicians to recruit criminals to pose a security threat in the South-East region, with two objectives in mind. First, blackmail the peaceful and non-violent IPOB movement for Biafra self-determination and hold a referendum. Secondly, to create a security threat and have a reason to militarize the region to facilitate the exploitation of natural resources.

“The undemocratic and illegality of the Supreme Court ruling that made the fourth Hope Uzodinma the first governor of Imo State was part of a conspiracy to destabilize the South-East region. Ever since Hope Uzodinma and some political appointees from Abuja were imposed on Ndigbo and the South East region, there has been no peace in the region.

“However, IPOB wishes to remind the Nigerian government and Western politicians that Alaigbo is sacred land. We cannot afford to tolerate the shedding of the blood of the sons and daughters of the Indigenous People of Biafra. We call it aru, which means abomination. The shedding of innocent Biafran blood for the sake of maintaining political and economic relevance is unacceptable. No innocent Biafran blood should be sacrificed for the sake of maintaining political and/or economic relevance.

“Politicians in the South East must stop sponsoring political thugs in our region. Likewise, drug cartels operating along the Orlu axis of Imo State are advised to find legitimate business in the South-East region and not destroy Igbo youth.

“All the political and drug crimes sponsored by some prominent people in the region are helping to fuel the Nigerian government and Western sponsored instability in the East. We demand that the political divisions among Ndigbos end so that we can separate the common criminals from the criminals supported by the foreigners who have come here to destroy our people.

“IPOB has already established several watchdog bodies to identify individual politicians and drug cartels that are fueling instability in the East. Anyone who claims to have been unaware of this IPOB order will regret it.

“IPOB is a global peace movement and we will take responsibility to ensure that peace reigns in the peaceful South East region, especially in the coming Christmas season. The South-East region has been ranked as the most peaceful and safe region in Nigeria by the United Nations Development Program 2012-2016 rankings.

“IPOB wants to restore the region to its former glorious status despite the federal government sponsored instability in the region. This is why we urge Igbo politicians and businessmen to avoid being agents of destabilization in the region. However, those who do not heed this clarion call from IPOB to give peace a chance will be treated as enemies. Those who were paid to destroy Biafra Land will themselves be destroyed. IPOB stands for a safe and secure Biafra land but the enemies of peace in our land will be avenged.”