IPOB to Dokubo: Keep your Islamic militia out of South East

By Florence Uwaeme

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo is raising an Islamic militia.

The separatist group further warned the Islamic militia led by Dokubo to stay away from the Southeast.

The group vowed to ensure that the Eastern Security Network (ESN) confronts Dokubo and his militia if they encroach into the Southeast.

In a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the group said ESN should not be blamed for confronting Dokubo’s militia.

IPOB noted that the Nigerian government was behind the insecurity in the Southeast.

The statement titled “Pro-Government Islamic Militia Under Asari Dokubo Should Stay Away From Southeast Region” reads: “We are calling on the Nigerian government to stop funding and fueling insecurity in Biafraland, particularly the Southeast Region.

“It is unfortunate that Nigerian media and Igbo political leaders are mute over the formation of a pro-government Islamic militia headed by Alhaji Asari Dukubo, which is among the groups causing mayhem that is sweeping across Igboland.

“When IPOB launched ESN in December 2020 to protect our bushes and forests from Fulani terrorists, the Nigerian media and some Igbo politicians were against our self-defence project.

“Most of our people did not foresee what we saw then but were deceived to downgrade the danger facing our region from Fulani herdsmen with the connivance of Nigerian Security Agents. But today, ESN has managed to secure our bushes and forests for our people to go back to farms, which was hitherto impossible due to the Fulani massacre.

“We in IPOB have nothing against anyone forming any militia to provide security as long as such a militia group does not target peaceful IPOB members and the Biafra restoration agenda.

“They must know their limits like IPOB and ESN know theirs. We are keenly watching as their agenda unfolds, and we will not hesitate to confront any group contracted to destabilise our land.”