S’EAST: We don’t buy arms, we produce locally, IPOB tells DSS

*“IPOB and ESN are not criminals, we have no plans to touch any institution, particularly banks”

THE Indigenous People of Biafra has refuted an allegation credited to the Department of State Service that it’s plotting to attack banks to get money to purchase arms.

The secessionist group said it doesn’t need to engage in criminal activities to fund its agenda, stressing that it produces its arms locally.

The proscribed group made this known in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, describing the allegation as a poor script.

He said, “We are not looking for money to buy arms because we produce our arms locally.”

While assuring banks in the area of safety, the pro-Biafra publicist said IPOB members were freedom fighters and not criminals.

IPOB also advised banks in the Southeast region to beef up security around their premises as it’s likely that the DSS is planning to launch attacks on some banks in order to implicate its security arm, Eastern Security Network.

The group’s statement read in part, “The DSS is propelling this wicked propaganda to blackmail Eastern Security Network and IPOB, and dent our global reputation.

“IPOB and ESN are not criminals and we have no plans or agenda to touch any institution particularly banks.

“We are not looking for money to buy arms because we produce our arms locally and cannot attack or kidnap anybody for ransom.

“We don’t inflict pains on the people we are fighting for their freedom. DSS must stop this rubbish and engage their time on something more meaningful. This poor script cannot fly… ESN has never left its mandate which is to defend Biafra land against Fulani terrorists and killer herdsmen.”

The statement added, “All banks in Biafraland must be wary of the DSS because it is possible they are planning to sponsor attacks on banks and turn around as usual to blame it on IPOB and ESN.”

The group added that any armed robbery gang that would in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of IPOB and ESN would regret their action.

The Southeast region has been embroiled in unrest recently and security operatives have always accused IPOB and its security arm, ESN, of masterminding heinous acts in the region.

Almost a week ago, the governors in the region and other stakeholders launched a security outfit codenamed, Ebube Agu during a security summit.

IPOB’s claim of producing weapons locally may not be far-fetched following the exploits of their forebears during the first and only civil war in Nigeria.

The war which lasted for almost three years (1967- 1970) pitted the Federal government against the Eastern region pushing for a sovereign nation christened “Biafran”.

During the war, Biafran soldiers, through their remarkable inventiveness, mass-produced Ogbunigwe also called Ojukwu Bucket.

Ogbunigwe was a series of weapon systems including command detonation mines, improvised explosive devices, and rocket-propelled missiles and it was a nightmare of the Nigerian Army during the war.