IPOB Denies Ownership of Camps Bombed in Anambra, Imo; Accuses NAF of False Claims

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a secessionist group, has vehemently denied any connection to the camps allegedly bombed by the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) in Anambra and Imo states on Tuesday.

The NAF spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet, had released a statement on Wednesday, asserting that the military conducted airstrikes targeting camps linked to IPOB and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The NAF justified these airstrikes by citing intelligence reports suggesting that insurgents were planning to launch attacks in the region.

However, IPOB has categorically refuted these claims in a press release issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful. According to the statement, IPOB insists that the NAF’s assertions are false and asserts that the group does not possess camps in the specified areas.

“We debunk the claims by the Nigerian Air Force of bombing IPOB’s ESN camps at Osumoghu in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State and Osuihiteukwa in Orsu LGA, Imo State. We are bold to say that ESN does not have camps in any of the bombed locations.”

IPOB went further to clarify that the bombed camps were affiliated with terrorists associated with the leader of a splinter group, Simon Ekpa, who is based in Finland.

“The Nigeria Air Force should stop lying and blackmailing this peaceful IPOB with the so-called bombing of IPOB’s ESN camps. For public information, IPOB doesn’t operate camps in those locations. IPOB has offices in Biafra Land and in the diaspora. We are not criminals or terrorists; otherwise, civilized countries would not give us the freedom to gather in their countries.”

IPOB emphasized that they have the Eastern Security Network (ESN), whose primary mission is to secure the region’s forests and protect its residents. They urged the public to disregard the claims made by Simon Ekpa and his associates, who they allege are impersonating ESN to tarnish IPOB’s image.

Moreover, the group condemned NAF’s actions in bombing these locations, drawing attention to the apparent discrepancy in the military’s approach.

“As much as we detest the criminals impersonating IPOB and ESN in their violent activities in the name of the Biafra struggle, we nevertheless condemn the bombing of any part of Biafra Land by the Nigeria Air Force. If the Nigeria Air Force has functioning fighter jets to bomb criminal hideouts in the rainforest of the Southeast, why then have they not bombed terrorists and bandits who are in the open in the desert lands of the North?” IPOB questioned.