The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the alleged military invasion of Oriendu,Umualumaku, in Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State after the gruesome killings of their colleagues in the area.
A statement by the spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful, alleged the military invaded the community in a reprisal attack following the murder of their colleagues.
In the same vein, the group has kicked against a similar action in Orumba communities in Anambra State.
The statement read in parts: “The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been drawn to the ongoing attacks by the Nigerian military on the Ehime-Mbano and Orumba communities in Imo and Anambra states respectively in retaliation to the attack and murder of their colleagues within the above named villages (towns).
“We condemn the cowardice reprisal attacks by the Nigerian military on innocent Biafrans, and demand a stop to military and police hostility against the affected communities.
“The act of reprisal from Nigeria military against unarmed civilians and communities anytime gunmen attacks them is not only unprofessional, but a display of cowardice and brutality.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not happy with the military invasion of the communities who are not responsible for the murder of their colleagues.
“Did the Nigeria Army and police do any investigation to confirm that the assailants who murdered their colleagues were people from the communities they invaded? Why invade, kill, maim, and burn homes and businesses of innocent villagers who are also victims of these criminal gangs?
“IPOB stands for justice. Nigeria security should go after the killers of their colleagues and leave our people alone. If they can’t go after and confront the criminals, they should not vent their frustrations on our innocent people.
“Irrespective of all sponsored criminal activities and media hype of insecurity in the Southeast, Igboland remains peaceful compared to other regions in Nigeria,” Powerful stated.