ESN After Killer Herdsmen Only - IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has praised its security outfit, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) for confronting killer herdsmen in Lokpanta, Abia State.

IPOB reiterated that ESN were not targeting harmless herders in the South East but those who hide under cattle rearing to terrorise, kidnap, rape and destroy people's farmlands.

The group in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, warned terrorists against attacking any community in the area as herdsmen would not be allowed to do business in the event of an attack on the market.

The statement reads in part: “We commend the doggedness of our great security outfit called the Eastern Security Network (ESN) who confronted the terrorists masquerading as herdsmen at Lokpanta on 22nd July 2022.

“We commend the IPOB leadership who has seen what our people are passing through in the hands of these terrorists kidnapping for ransom, raping our mothers in the farms, killing of our men in their farms and snatching cars from all the travellers following the routes in Isiukwuato, Umunneochi, Isuochi and Okigwe since over two years but the government refused to heed to the crying of the citizens.

“IPOB hails them for doing the needful in that area.

"We are not pursuing responsible Fulanis not to do their legitimate business.

"But we are after those terrorists masquerading as herdsmen kidnapping and destroying our people’s lives and farmlands in that area.

“IPOB and ESN are responsible for the killing of cows encroaching into people’s farmlands.

"We also warn the terrorists not to attack any community in the area as in their nature.

"If they attack any community, that means Fulanis will no longer be allowed to do business again in that market.

“IPOB advises all herdsmen in a legitimate business to ensure they stay within the designated areas assigned for them in the market.

"They must not exceed the square meters and measurements given to them in that market.

"If they do, they will have scores to settle with IPOB.

“IPOB is not a terrorist movement, our focus is on a peaceful Biafra Referendum for citizens of Biafra to decide their fate in the Nigeria project.”