The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a famous pro-Biafra faction, has reacted to the killing of a top leader of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), known as Ikonso, by a joint team of the Nigerian army, DSS, and police.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, April 24, troops from the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the ISN Operational Headquarters in Awomama Village, Oru East LGA of Imo State, after receiving intelligence on the exact position of the ISN top commander, popularly known as Ikonson Commander.
According to an army release, as the army approached Ikonson, several gunshots were fired, killing Ikonson, six other ESN officials, and four Nigerian security operatives.
According to Mohammed Yerima, an army spokesman, the second in command of the ESN, Ikonson Commander, was killed in the gun fight with the security squad.
The ESN’s advanced weapons and tactical vehicles were also recovered, according to the announcement.
The IPOB has now responded, pledging “hell for all those who were involved in the attack.”
On Saturday night, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, issued a press release strongly condemning the attack and describing the ESN commander’s death as “extremely painful.”
IPOB then accused Imo state Governor Hope Uzodima of conspiring with security operatives to assassinate Ikonso for allegedly turning down the governor’s lucrative offer to lead the Ebubeagu security outfit, which was announced by South-East governors to tackle crime in the area.
IPOB said that Uzodima ‘had murdered sleep’ so should ‘be ready to stay awake’.
“IPOB, ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, firmly condemns the unprovoked assault on some representatives of IPOB and ESN operatives at Oguta junction at Mgbidi, along Owerri road Onitsha expressway, by a joint security force comprising the army, police, and DSS operatives, with the help of Imo State Government,” the statement read in part.
The killing of the heroic innocent Biafrans protecting our communities and towns from Fulani terrorist herdsmen masquerading as cattle herders in cold blood is very painful.
”Hope Uzodinma and all those who had a hand in this wickedness will pay dearly. Hope Uzodinma and his cowardly Nigerian security agencies cannot confront Fulani terrorists but only flex their muscles when they see Biafra agitators.
“For murdering Ikonso, the ESN unit COMMANDER in a cold blood, Uzodima has stirred the hornet nest! He should get ready for a sting.
“Uzodima allegedly decided to kill Ikonso because he refused his offer to head Ebubeagu ghost security outfit formed by South-East governors.
”Uzodima has tried but without success to lure ESN operatives into EBUBEAGU. He had made irresistible offers to them which were turned down, hence his resorting to the elimination of these patriotic heroes who vowed never to betray Biafra.
“Hope Uzodinma sent a lot of emissaries to beg Ikonso and other ESN officers to join EBUBEAGU security outfit. So, because of their refusal to betray Biafra agitation and our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the governor mobilized joint security forces to attack them today.
“Contrary to claims by the cowardly security forces who flee from terrorists but kill innocent citizens, they were not able to penetrate into the camp of ESN. They only ambushed Ikonso but we promise them hell for this cowardly act!
“Hope Uzodima has murdered sleep, so he should be ready to stay awake! FULANI terrorists pretending as cattle sellers in Enugu destroyed Police van and attacked Government officials on lawful duty with AK-47 but no Army, police or DSS attacked them till now.
“But ESN operatives defending our communities against the terrorists are being hunted like games every day. The world has kept quiet over this atrocity until we begin our own madness.
“May Chukwu Okike Abiama accept the souls of our gallant men. Biafra shall always remember them and other fallen heroes for their heroism!
News of Ikonson’s killing comes after hoodlums attacked and burnt Uzodinma’s house in Oru.
