Commander arrested by DSS is not our member: IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied the arrest of a suspected bandit, Okechukwu Nlebedum, alias Ejima, by Directorate of State Services (DSS) last Wednesday as a commander of its Eastern Security Network (ESN), saying Ejima was among Orlu youths in Imo State misusing the name of ESN.

This is contained in a statement by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, claiming the suspect had earlier been warned several times.

IPOB said he was asked to undergo training and stop using the name of ESN to carry out his activities but he refused.

The statement reads in part: “Ejima is never an ESN commander.

“Rather, he is among those Orlu youths using the name of ESN to carry out some intimidation and harassment of their own people.

“He was warmed several times and was asked to undergo ESN training and stop working in the name of ESN.

“He was asked that he must undertake an oath to be a disciplined and law-abiding volunteer and he must not engage in criminality, kidnapping or other illegal activities in the name of ESN.

“He refused to take the oath till his present ordeal.”