The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has, again, absolved its members from the murder of Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, saying that linking those recently arrested to the development is a blackmail.
The separatist group described, as unfortunate, claims by the Nigeria Police that certain runaway security official, which it paraded over the murder, was working for IPOB.
In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB stated that government had continued to “rubbish itself by linking IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN) to the murder of an innocent man, who visited Imo State for his business deal with Governor Hope Uzodimma.
It said: “At the time Gulak was murdered, Nigeria Police accused IPOB of committing the crime, but Uzodimma publicly disassociated and exonerated IPOB from the murder.
“Uzodimma described the murder as a political killing. We are surprised, today, that the state Police Command has, again, started its propaganda to blackmail IPOB with the same fake information.”
IPOB said the so-called runaway soldier, Chinwendu, also known as ‘Onye Army,’ had never been an ESN operative.
The group added: “IPOB does not know him, let alone have him as a commander in ESN. He was known to be a political thug. If he was contracted to murder Gulak, IPOB should not be roped into it.
“IPOB and ESN operatives are disciplined and focused. We are not political, and don’t get involved in Nigeria’s political thuggery.”
It also denounced allegations that its operatives abducted an army officer in Enugu, and called for arrest of those responsible for the crime.
“You can understand that abductors of the woman soldier made it clear in a viral video, that unknown gunmen have nothing to do with IPOB; we wonder why the Nigerian Army and police always blame IPOB for any criminality, which occurs in the region.
“We condemn the reckless act against the woman soldier. The Nigerian Army would be making mistakes if it continues to accuse IPOB.”
Source: Guardian.ng
