ESN: IPOB's Nnamdi Kanu Sends Strong Warning to Obi of Onitsha

Nnamdi Kanu, a pro-Biafra political activist has asked Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, 'not to allow his office to be used by the Nigerian Presidency to foment trouble for the Eastern Security Network (ESN)'.

The ESN is a controversial vigilante group set up by diaspora-based Kanu in December 2020 "to defend the people of the Eastern Region from terrorists and bandits allegedly trooping in from the North".

Although, ESN's emergence has been met with disapproval from South-East governors, and resistance by Nigerian security forces, it seemingly continues to operate.

AllNews gathered that indigenes of Onitsha in Anambra State have reportedly floated a security outfit known as Onitsha Ado Vigilante Network to check the increasing wave of crime in the commercial city.

The traditional ruler of the Onitsha Kingdom, Igwe Achebe, who unveiled the security outfit at the weekend, said there was a need to keep the security of the city, especially being a commercial hub.

The monarch also unveiled branded Toyota Sienna vehicles said to have been donated by good-spirited individuals in the city to fight against insecurity in Onitsha.

The commercial city has lately fallen for criminals and hoodlums, who dispossess visitors and residents alike of their belongings, even in broad daylight.

Igwe Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, MUST not allow his office to be used by #Fulani Janjaweed terrorists in Aso Rock to ferment trouble for #ESN around Onitsha and environs, otherwise it will end in tears for him & his local Miyetti Allah funded vigilante named Onitsha Ado.

— Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (@MaziNnamdiKanu) March 21, 2021

Expressing his objection to the emergence of the Onitsha Ado Vigilante Network, Kanu wrote on his known Twitter handle on Sunday afternoon: "Igwe Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, MUST not allow his office to be used by #Fulani Janjaweed terrorists in Aso Rock to ferment trouble for #ESN around Onitsha and environs, otherwise it will end in tears for him & his local Miyetti Allah funded vigilante named Onitsha Ado."

READ ALSO: IPOB's Nnamdi Kanu Sends Fierce Message To River's Governor Wike Over Oyigbo Women

Anambra NSCDC kicks, here's why

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has protested the choice of colour for the branding of the vehicles donated for the Onitsha Ado Vigilante Network.

The NSCDC said the colour conflicts with theirs, urging the vigilance group to immediately repaint all their vehicles to avoid clash of interest.

A statement issued by the state Commandant of NSCDC, David Bille, said: “The attention of the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been drawn to the branded vehicles painted in Civil Defence colours presented to the Onitsha Ado Vigilante Network.

“The Corps, while appreciating the Onitsha community for taking a bold step in complimenting the functions of the federal security agencies in the fight against crimes in the state, urges the community to as a matter of urgency effect a change of colours on their vehicles to avoid clash of interest.”

The commandant wondered why the initiators of the said vigilante network could not have known that white, red and black colours are being used by the NSCDC before unveiling the same colours to the public.