The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on Igbos living outside the South East to return home for the Christmas season, assuring them of safety and security.
In a statement issued by the group’s media and publicity secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB emphasised its commitment to tackling insecurity in the region and creating a peaceful environment for the festivities.
“We urge every Igbo man and woman to return home and celebrate the Christmas season with their loved ones,” Powerful said. “We are working to ensure that the South East remains safe for everyone.”
IPOB’s statement highlights its ongoing efforts to address the security challenges facing the South East. The group stressed that its Eastern Security Network (ESN), which was formed to combat criminal activities in the region, would be actively ensuring peace during the holiday season.
Alaigbo, the traditional name for the Igbo heartland, has long been regarded as a peaceful area, but in recent years, it has seen a rise in insecurity. IPOB’s DOS (Directorate of State) is keen on restoring the region’s safety and stability.
“Peace is essential for Alaigbo’s growth and prosperity,” the statement continued. “Every Igbo person must contribute to maintaining security so that we can continue to thrive as a strategic economic hub in Africa.”
IPOB urged all Igbos to make efforts toward fostering peace in the region. According to the group, a secure environment will allow for more investments and job opportunities for the local population, particularly the youth.
In addition to calling for peace, IPOB urged Igbos to bring their investments back to the South East. The group believes that returning investments to the region will help create jobs for young people and promote development.
“We must work together to develop our land,” said Powerful. “By investing in Alaigbo, we are helping to create opportunities for our youth and ensuring that our region grows economically.”
IPOB’s focus on economic progress comes at a time when the South East is facing both security challenges and economic hardships. The region, despite its vast resources and industrious population, has struggled to reach its full potential in recent years, partly due to insecurity and political tensions.
As part of its efforts to maintain peace, IPOB also reiterated its commitment to fighting criminal activities in the region. The group issued a stern warning to criminals, urging them to stay away from the South East, especially during the Christmas period.
“Criminals should stay away,” the statement read. “We will make the region unwelcoming to anyone who wishes to cause harm or disrupt the peace.”
The ESN operatives, alongside IPOB volunteers, have been patrolling Biafran forests and bushes to prevent criminals from using these areas as hideouts. IPOB emphasized that it will not tolerate any form of criminality and will take action to protect the region.
IPOB also directed its frustration at the Nigerian government, accusing it of worsening the security situation in the South East. The group criticized the government’s militarization of the region and the alleged mistreatment of its people.
“The federal government has only contributed to insecurity in our land by increasing the presence of military and police checkpoints,” IPOB said. “These checkpoints have become centers for extortion, intimidation, and harassment of travelers.”
The group called for the dismantling of what it described as “illegal and indiscriminate checkpoints” in the South East. IPOB believes that these checkpoints serve as a tool for oppression rather than protection, and it insists that they are contributing to the region’s unrest.
“Military and police checkpoints should not be used to oppress and harass innocent people,” Powerful said. “The government must prioritize the safety of its citizens, not subject them to unnecessary intimidation.”
IPOB further reassured residents that its ESN operatives would continue to patrol the region to ensure that criminal elements are kept at bay. The group encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities to the authorities, offering published security contact numbers for this purpose.
The statement concluded with a call for all stakeholders in the South East to work together to prioritize peace and development. IPOB reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, properties, and investments, urging the people of the region to cooperate with its security efforts.
“We are committed to ensuring that the South East remains safe and prosperous,” the statement concluded. “We will do everything in our power to protect our people and our resources.”
