March 22, 2024
The IPOB, which made the allegation in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, noted that Soludo's interest was to chase away operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) for political favours.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State deployed soldiers and operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) to some communities in the Ogbaru Local Government Area where they are illegally arresting and detaining residents of the communities.
The IPOB, which made the allegation in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, noted that Soludo's interest was to chase away operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) for political favours.
“Reports have it that Governor Soludo has given order to the military joint forces to invade Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State, especially Umunankwo, Echeuche, and Osamalla Communities.
“The above named communities have witnessed an influx of Nigeria Military via invitation by Governor Soludo, thinking he will stop IPOB.
“Due to the military invasion of Ogbaru communities, many schools have been closed and farmers are not able to go to their farms.
“Governor Soludo and the military have sent Ogbaru children out of school. He will also create hunger in Anambra State and Alaigbo as soldiers are preventing Ogbaru farmers from going to farms as the farming season commences.
“Governor Soludo and the military are threatening to burn down houses in the communities if they don't inform them about the activities of IPOB/ESN operatives. The military has burnt down many houses already in Ogbaru.”
Powerful stated that Governor Soludo “Is recruiting Agboros (touts) as a task force and military to be intimidating Anambra residents,” adding that “The Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) are armed to be harassing, intimidating, arresting, and molesting innocent citizens.
“The AVG conducts illegal arrest, detains their victims, and demands that their relatives bail them with a huge sum of money or risk being killed.
“Some of the criminal elements in this AVG go about extorting people in the name of ESN. The AVG has similar characteristics as the Ebubeagu and SARS.
“For Governor Soludo to deploy the Nigeria Military in Ogbaru communities is to provide a cover-up for bandits and illegal oil bunkerers activities.”
The IPOB spokesperson said that “Governor Soludo should focus on providing security and development to the Anambra people. He should demilitarise Anambra State. He should also disband or caution the security groups such as AVG and Pillar Youths.
“If the Anambra State government refuses to call his security groups to order, IPOB volunteers and ESN operatives would do what is necessary to keep our land and people safe.”