IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, stated that the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police were responsible for the “so-called truck drivers” road blockage protest for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused Nigerian security agencies of blocking roads and burning heavy-duty trucks in the Southeast region of the country.
IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, stated that the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police were responsible for the “so-called truck drivers” road blockage protest for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
The secessionist group said that it has become imperative for the general public to know that it is the “Nigeria Security that forced the drivers to block roads with their trucks and the same security agents with Ebubeagu militias that set fire on those trucks carrying goods to the East, not ESN, unknown gunmen, or criminals.”
IPOB said, “These government terrorist security agents blocked all the major routes to the Eastern Region/Biafra land (Igbo land) and refused all trucks carrying goods into Biafra. In the end, they set fire to those trucks loaded with consumable goods.”
The statement further read, “It is not enough that the Nigerian Government sabotaged the importation of goods through seaports into Biafraland, they have resorted to attacking trucks hauling goods into the Eastern Region or Biafra Land so as to create artificial scarcity that will cause hikes in prices of those goods. This is another agenda of the Nigerian Government using food and other goods blockade as a weapon of war as they did against Biafrans during the 1967-1970 genocidal war.”
According to IPOB, Nigerian security agents on Friday attacked trucks coming from Amorka in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state at the border community between Anambra and Imo states.
“We were reliably informed that Nigerian soldiers forced some of the truck drivers to block the roads and to claim that it was ESN operatives and IPOB members that forced them to do so.
“The Nigerian Army and other security agencies forced the truck drivers to block roads in disguise of protesting that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should be released without delay by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Today Enugu-Aba-Igweocha Expressways were also blocked with 6 trucks. Enugu-Onitsha expressway near the toll gate was blocked with 7 trucks. Obollo-Afor, Enugu state was also blocked by some truck drivers.
“IPOB never forced truck drivers to block roads in protest for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's release. IPOB knows how to handle issues without Nigeria Security Agents directing us on what to do. This arrangement to use truck drivers to block routes leading to the East is a secret agenda of Nigeria Security Agents to create unrest, and to destroy our people's lives and properties.
“The Terrorist Government have stationed Ebubeagu men to cause more harm to innocent people in many parts of Biafra land by setting fire to people's properties and vehicles.
“The Nigerian Government through her compromised security agencies are waging a secret war against innocent Igbo Biafrans because Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu comes from our region.
“We have numerous seaports where our businessmen and women can ship their goods to land and it will be easy for them to collect, but the Nigerian Government out of wickedness shut down all seaports in Biafraland.
“IPOB always has our people in mind and will never allow any activity that will jeopardize the interest and wellbeing of our people.
“If Nigerian security agencies continue with this evil agenda of road and food blockade sabotage, IPOB will confront them head-on.
“The Court of Appeal verdict of 13th of October, 2022 must be obeyed. However, we are ready to meet the lawless Nigerian Government in the Supreme Court on Monday, October 24, 2022.
“We are calling International Communities and other civilized Countries, especially those who maintain offices in Nigeria, to caution the Nigerian Government and its compromised security agents to leave Biafraland alone.
“There is no amount of threat or intimidation that can make IPOB to retreat from the Biafra Restoration project.”