The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Nigerian government and security agencies of using allegations surrounding the discovery of camps belonging to the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to divert attention from issues surrounding the Biafran struggle and the legal case involving its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB described the latest reports of an alleged raid on an ESN camp as part of what it called a recurring propaganda strategy by the Nigerian state.
The group argued that the development came at a time when the Biafra question had recently received international attention following a discussion on Israel’s Channel 14 concerning the agitation and alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
According to IPOB, rather than address the issues raised during the international discussion, authorities had allegedly resorted to what the group described as a familiar tactic of highlighting alleged discoveries of ESN camps and presenting photographs of seized items to dominate public discourse.
IPOB also linked the development to legal issues allegedly raised by Kanu in a letter addressed to the President of the Court of Appeal.
The group claimed that the issues contained in the letter were significant and should be addressed through the judicial process rather than being overshadowed by what it described as security-related publicity.
“This is not the first time Nigerians have witnessed this script,” IPOB said, alleging that reports of alleged ESN camps tend to emerge whenever the government’s narrative about the Biafra agitation comes under pressure.
The group challenged the Nigerian military to provide independently verifiable evidence whenever it announces the discovery of an alleged ESN camp.
It specifically called for authorities to identify the occupants of such locations, disclose arrested suspects where applicable, establish ownership of the locations and demonstrate any evidential link between the alleged camps, IPOB and Kanu.
IPOB further questioned the security agencies’ approach to tackling insecurity in the South-East and other parts of the country.
The group asked why military operations against alleged ESN camps often receive extensive publicity while communities continue to raise concerns about attacks, kidnappings and other criminal activities.
According to the organisation, the security situation should be addressed without using allegations against IPOB as a means of distracting Nigerians from wider security challenges.
IPOB maintained that it does not support criminality and said individuals or organisations involved in criminal activities should be dealt with according to the law, regardless of their ethnic or political affiliation.
However, the group accused the security establishment of using legitimate security concerns as a means of portraying IPOB negatively and diverting attention from what it described as the fundamental issues surrounding the Biafran question.
The organisation also argued that Kanu does not require an ESN camp to advance his political and legal arguments, insisting that his case should be determined through the courts.
IPOB called on international journalists, diplomats, human-rights organisations and foreign governments to independently investigate claims contained in Nigerian military statements before accepting them as established facts.
The group urged international observers to demand evidence and verify allegations surrounding IPOB and ESN.
IPOB concluded by insisting that the Biafra question could not be suppressed through what it described as propaganda or sensational media reports.
The statement was signed by Emma Powerful, identified as the group’s spokesperson and Media and Publicity Secretary.
The allegations contained in the statement represent IPOB’s position and could not independently establish the claims made against the Nigerian government or security agencies.
