Just In: IPOB Breaks Silence As FG Releases Identities Of Suspects

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said the identities of five suspects arraigned over the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State vindicate its position that its members and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have been wrongly blamed for criminal activities in the South-East.

The suspects, identified as Usman Aliyu, Babangida Aliyu, Mohammed Ali, Aminu Haliru and Ibrahim Jiji, were arraigned over the abduction of prospective corps members along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB called for a thorough investigation into the incident, saying its members were often blamed for crimes in the region before investigations established who was responsible.

The group argued that, had the suspects not been apprehended, Igbo youths and ESN members might have been blamed for the abduction, potentially exposing innocent people to arrest and other alleged mistreatment.

“Had this atrocious kidnapping happened without these suspects being caught, who would the Nigerian security apparatus and hostile media have blamed?” IPOB asked.

The group said previous incidents in the South-East had similarly been attributed to IPOB and ESN, insisting that allegations of criminal activity should be subjected to evidence-based investigations.

IPOB maintained that its members were not responsible for kidnappings in the region, adding that ESN was established to protect communities, farmers and residents against armed attacks.

It commended the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Imo State and the prosecuting team, describing the case as an opportunity to establish the facts surrounding the abduction.

The group called for a comprehensive investigation into the suspects’ identities, origins, networks and alleged accomplices, urging authorities to make the findings public in accordance with the law.

It also urged security agencies to investigate criminal activities based on evidence rather than ethnicity, political affiliation or unverified allegations.

The statement renewed IPOB’s criticism of the continued detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that his warnings about security threats in the region had not received adequate attention.

IPOB further called on South-East governors and political leaders to strengthen security in rural communities and forests, protect lives and property, and ensure that innocent residents were not unfairly associated with criminal activities.