Outlawed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has sternly disparaged the Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo over the deployment of military personnel to Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
IPOB, speaking through its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, maintained that such deployment cannot halt the activities of its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
It denounced the deployment as not only illegal, but also a misappropriation of government resources and time-wasting.
In a statement, Powerful attributed the peace currently being experienced in the Ogbaru community to “ESN’s efforts to fend off criminals and Fulani bandits.”
The spokesperson accused Governor Soludo of attempting to curry favor with his “Fulani Masters” for political benefits by targeting ESN operatives.
“The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)… sees the continuous and illegal deployment of soldiers in Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State by the Governor, Professor Charles Soludo as a waste of time and resources,” Powerful stated. The group further denounced the governor on the military presence in specific communities like Umunankwo, Echeuche, and Osamalla.
Highlighting the repercussions, Powerful noted that such military incursions have led to school closures and hindered farming activities, thereby threatening food security and education in the area.
“Governor Soludo and his murderous military have sent Ogbaru children out of school. He will also create hunger in Anambra State and Alaigbo, as soldiers are preventing Ogbaru farmers from going to farms as the farming season commences,” Powerful elaborated.
The IPOB statement also accused the state-led military of engaging in acts of intimidation and property destruction, claiming that several homes have been burned down under the governor’s watch.
This statement also interrogated Governor Soludo’s governance more broadly, with Powerful lamenting the lack of visible development and alleged misuse of state funds under the administration.
The IPOB spokesperson then charged Governor Soludo to work towards creating a meaningful security and development for Anambra’s citizens, including the demilitarization of the state and reevaluation of local security forces like AVG and Pillar Youths.
