From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has condemned the forceful initiation of some youths in Okigwe, Imo State, by some people it described as criminals, maintaining that the pro-Biafra group, and its affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) would never indulge in such conscription.
A statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, emphasised that its membership was only voluntary and added that it has not deviated to being violent.
His statement read in part: “IPOB totally disassociates ourselves from this forceful conscription and the consequential criminal activities going on in Okigwe province and any other place in Biafraland.
“IPOB condemns the forceful conscription. We, therefore, reaffirm our commitment to a peaceful approach in demanding our inalienable right to self-determination until further notice.
“For now, the only group in IPOB that bears arms are ESN operatives. ESN operatives are volunteers.
“ESN was established to dislodge Fulani terrorists masquerading as herdsmen, who, hitherto, occupied our bushes and forests from where they launched deadly attacks on our people in our communities.
“We are using this medium to call on the communities in Okigwe province to resist any forceful conscription into criminal gangs by infiltrators. We do not force or conscript anyone to join IPOB or ESN. Membership of ESN or IPOB is voluntary and not by force. Moreover, the recruitment into ESN has been closed for over two years.
“Therefore, let it be known to the youths who joined the criminal conscription that they are not IPOB or ESN members and are definitely not working for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“ESN operatives are disciplined operatives and cannot force anyone to join them. Any group forcing people to join them are criminals and not ESN operatives or IPOB family members.”