The Nigerian military recently reported the deaths of numerous individuals allegedly connected to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), following a raid in Imo State. The operation, carried out by troops under Operation Udo Ka, targeted suspected IPOB/ESN members along the Ekeututu-Ihiteunansa Road in Orsu Local Government Area.
In the statement released by the Nigerian Army on Monday, it was noted that the troops engaged with the suspected militants and neutralized several individuals. Among the items recovered from the scene were pump-action guns, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), IED-making materials, and charms. The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede, commended the troops for their bravery and urged them to continue their efforts to eliminate criminal elements in the region. He reassured the people of the South East that they could go about their daily activities without fear.
In a related development, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the legal counsel for IPOB, urged the people of the South East to unite and restore peace to the region. Ejiofor’s statement followed the recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile. He called for an end to the violent and fraudulent activities tied to the December declaration of Biafra, a movement which he decried as based on lies and deceit. He emphasized that the struggle for freedom must reject violence and criminality, as these means would never lead to true liberation.
Ejiofor also highlighted the systemic marginalization of the Igbo people in Nigeria but stressed that violence was not the solution. His call to abandon false claims and focus on restoring peace in the region underscores a desire for unity and reconciliation, particularly among those who might have been misled by the actions of figures like Ekpa.
