- Says: AS IKONSO’S BODY WAS PARADED LIKE COMMON CRIMINAL BY TROOPS, SO SHALL IT BE FOR UZODINMA WITH GREATER IGNOMINY
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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has vowed to avenge the brutal killing of the Eastern Security Network commander, Ikonso, and six other fighters, Saturday, in Awomamma Village, Oru East LGA of Imo, by combined team of Nigerian troops, describing the killing as very painful.
Heaping the blame on Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, the group said the governor will pay heavily for his actions.
Blaming Uzodinma for the killing, the group alleged that the ESN leader, Ikonso, was killed for refusing offers from Governor Uzodinma to head Ebubeagu ‘ghost’ security outfit, which was formed by South East governors.
Recall that the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services (DSS), on Saturday reportedly stormed the operational headquarters of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Awomamma Village Oru East LGA of Imo, and allegedly killed their Commander, Ikonso along with six other fighters. This was less than three weeks after public assets – Nigerian Correctional Centre and the state police formations were allegedly attacked by the ESN in Imo State, although IPOB has continuously denied any involvement… with the security agencies ceaselessly blaming the secessionists for the April 5, 2021 attacks, apart from several other isolated attacks on security personnel at different locations in the South-East and South-South.
An intelligence officer said the group’s fighters opened fire as security forces approached their hideout, adding, “but in a clinical response, the joint security forces fought back gallantly. The forces eventually neutralized the overall commander of the insurgents in the Southeast popularly known as Ikonso Commander and six other armed fighters.
“Ikonso was the Vice President designate as well as the coordinator of all the militia operations of the group. He was the mastermind of the attack on the Imo Police Headquarters and several other attacks on security and military personnel and facilities.
“The operation is part of deliberate effort by the Police and other security forces to quel the activities of insurgents in Imo State and other states of the South East and South South region of the country,” he said.
But reacting to the incident in a statement on Saturday, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, vowed that everyone in connection with the killing will pay dearly.
He said, “The killing of the heroic innocent Biafrans protecting our communities and towns from Fulani terrorist 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 will surely pay dearly for murdering Ikonso, the ESN (Eastern Security Network) unit commander in cold blood, Uzodinma has stirred the hornet nest! He should get ready for a sting.
“Uzodinma decided to kill Ikonso because he refused his offer to head Ebubeagu ghost security outfit formed by South East governors. Uzodinma 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 penetrate into the camp of Eastern Security Network. They only ambushed Ikonso. But we promise them hell for this cowardly act!
“Hope Uzodinma 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 every day. 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,” Powerful vowed./ SHARE THIS