The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has stated that the suspected gang leader, Okechukwu Nlebedum alias Ejima, who was apprehended by the Directorate of State Service (DSS) on Wednesday, is not a commander of its armed militia, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Rather, the group said that Ejima is among Orlu youths in Imo State who are using the name of ESN to intimidate and abuse their own people.
According to a statement issued on Friday by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, the suspect (Ejima) had previously been advised by IPOB to attend ESN training and stop using the name of ESN to carry out illicit operations, but he refused.
The statement reads: “Ejima is never an ESN commander rather he is among those Orlu youths using the name of ESN to carry out some intimidation and harassment of their own people and he was warmed several times and was asked to undergo ESN training and stop working in the name of ESN , also he was asked that he must undertake an oath to be discipline and law abiding volunteers and he must not engage in criminality , kidnapping or other illegal activities in the name of ESN which he refused to take the oath till his present ordeal.”
He recalled that IPOB leadership through one Mazi Chinasa Nworu in one of his broadcast earlier this year mentioned the names of these criminals on Radio Biafra as those terrorising the Oru East and Oru West LGAs of Imo State.
“Chinasa Nworu specifically said that they are criminals and not working for IPOB nor ESN. Also IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful in one of his previous press releases warned these criminals to stop their atrocities and refrain from impersonating IPOB and ESN.”
He maintained that IPOB does not support criminal activities like kidnapping, killing and snatching of cars.
“IPOB don’t work with criminals.
IPOB don’t support evil activities like kidnapping, killing and snatching of cars. IPOB is here to protect our people not to make life difficult for them.”
He said the suspect and his gang should be made to face the consequences of the crime they had committed against the people.
“Ejima and his gang will face the consequences of the crime they committed against innocent citizens (if Government will prosecute him because he is working with them against ESN as revenge). Let it be on record that IPOB and ESN are innocent. The so called Ejima and his gang are neither ESN Operatives nor IPOB volunteers.”