The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from Mr. Okechukwu Nlebedum, popularly known as Ejima recently arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly masterminding the attacks on INEC offices in Imo state.
Ejima had confessed that he was the Commander of IPOB's Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the Njaba division and identified the sponsors of the ESN to include Chinasa Nworu and Okey Foreign, both based abroad and one Vitalis Anwunaezi from Imo state.
IPOB reiterated that its mission is to protect the people and to make life difficult for criminals who engage in kidnapping, killings, carjacking, and other evil activities.
IPOB said, “For record purposes, 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 people and he was warned 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 a disciplined and law-abiding volunteer 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.
“Furthermore, people should recall that IPOB leadership through Mazi Chinasa Nworu in one of his broadcasts earlier this year mentioned the names of these criminals on Radio Biafra as those terrorizing the Orlu East and Orlu West LGA of Imo State.
“Chinasa Nworu specifically said that they are criminals and not working for IPOB or 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.
“Ejima whose real names are (sic) Okechukwu Nlebedum is Governor Hope Uzodinma's blood relative from his mother’s side, according to Ejima and he knew Hope Uzodinma and Hope knew the activities of Ejima and his twin brother whom they paraded together.
Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
“Both of them that were paraded has been working with Hope Uzodinma from the time Hope Uzodinma was a senator till they fell out after he became the Governor.
"Hope Uzodinma made many promises to Ejima through the Njaba LGA chairman, Hon. Vincent offered cash and amnesty to reconcile with Ejima and to work with his government, he recruited him and his gang to continue impersonating IPOB and ESN for blackmail and propaganda. These guys are working with the Government as double agents and we refer to them as infiltrators.
“Let's analyze a vital portion of Ejima's public confession. When he was asked by the Journalists about the location of their camp, he said " ...at the back of the police station..."
“Important Question: Can ESN under IPOB operate a camp at the back of Nigeria Police Station without being invaded by the same Police who always claim to be raiding ESN camps? The camp in question behind the police station is Hope Uzodinma's fake ESN camp where Ejima is their commander.
“They thought that the stage is now right to stage-manage a coordinated blackmail against Chinasa Nworu, ESN, IPOB, and MNK using Ejima. But we will continue to expose their lies and blackmail. IPOB doesn't work with criminals.”
IPOB stated that Ejima and those he mentioned including Number 1 and Temple are vicious criminals recruited by the Imo State Government to blackmail the group and ESN in the Southeast region and
expressed doubts that the Police would sue Ejima and his gang in Court to face the consequences of their actions against innocent citizens.
“Let it be on record that IPOB and ESN are innocent. The so-called Ejima and his gang are not ESN operatives nor IPOB volunteers.
“We challenge the Nigeria Police and Imo State to charge Ejima to an open court where lawyers can ask him questions,” IPOB said.
Crime. Politics and Opinion.
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