The Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday acknowledged the killing of the commander of its militia wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), Ikonso.
Ikonso was killed in the early hours of Saturday by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the military and DSS in a joint operation in Awoamama.
Besides Ikonso, six other ESN operatives were also killed and their corpses taken away by the military.
But in a statement made available to the press, IPOB blamed Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, ,for the killings and vowed a revenge.
A statement by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said Ikonso was killed because he turned down the request to head Ebubeagu, the security network set up by Southeast governors.
The statement reads:
“We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, strongly condemn the unprovoked attack on some members 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 support of Imo State Government.
“The killing of the heroic innocent Biafrans protecting our communities and towns from Fulani terrorists herdsmen masquerading as cattle herders in cold blood is very painful.
“The Supreme Court Administrator of Imo State Hope Uzodinma and all those who had a hand in this wickedness will pay dearly. Hope Uzodinma and his cowardly Nigerian security agencies that cannot confront Fulani terrorists but only flex their muscles when they see Biafra agitators. For murdering Ikonso, the ESN unit COMMANDER in cold blood, Uzodimma has stirred the hornet nest! He should get ready for a sting.
“Uzodima decided to kill Ikonso because he refused his offer to head Ebubeagu ghost security outfit formed by South East governors. Uzodimma 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 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 hopeless 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 peneterate into the camp of Eastern Security Network 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 everyday. The world has kept quiet over this atrocity until we begin our own madness.
“Hope Uzodinma, as the body of Ikonso was paraded by Fulani Jihadists in police and Nigerian army, so shall it be your portion one day.”
