The Indigenous People of Biafra has pledged to safeguard the Igbo community in Nigeria’s South-East during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities.
The South-East, home to a significant Christian population among the Igbo people, has faced rising insecurity in recent years.
IPOB, a separatist group advocating for an independent Biafran state carved from parts of the South-East and South-South regions, has expressed concern over the impact of ongoing attacks on the holiday season.
In a statement released Thursday, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful urged Igbos to return home for the celebrations, assuring them of their safety.
He stated that IPOB, along with its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), is committed to addressing insecurity in the region and ensuring a peaceful and uninterrupted Christmas season.
“We also encourage our people who wish to return home to enjoy the Christmas season as usual, with the assurance that ESN operatives will provide a peaceful atmosphere during the festive period,” he said.
The spokesperson encouraged the Igbos to prioritize efforts toward maintaining peace in the South-East.
Mr. Powerful stated that IPOB has urged Igbos residing in other regions to relocate their investments to the South-East, aiming to boost development and create more job opportunities for the region’s youth.
“We are committed to making sure that the investments are secure. To this effect, IPOB cautions the criminals to stay off Alaigbo, particularly during this Christmas season.
“IPOB volunteers and ESN operatives are working hard to make Biafra Land uncomfortable and unworkable to both state-sponsored and common criminals,” he said.
Mr Powerful said IPOB has called for the dismantling of all security checkpoints in the southeast, accusing the security operatives of harassing, intimidating and extorting people of the region.
“The uncountable numbers of Police and military extortion checkpoints are frustrating motorists and all travellers.
“The ESN operatives will help to provide security across Biafran bushes and forests so that criminals will not use our bushes as a haven for their nefarious activities,” he stated.
