Tensions Rise as IPOB Condemns Summoning of Bende Leaders
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly declared that Igbos in the Southeast will not remain passive in the face of rising security threats. The pro-Biafra group has vowed to defend their people against attacks by armed herdsmen, warning that they will not tolerate intimidation by security agencies.
This statement comes in response to the recent summoning of some traditional and community leaders from Bende Local Government Area in Abia State over alleged involvement in the killing of a Fulani herdsman.
According to IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the police action is a ploy to weaken local resistance against attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen, who have been accused of numerous crimes in the region, including rape, kidnapping, and murder.
IPOB’s Strong Warning to the Abia State Police Commissioner
In a strongly-worded statement, IPOB accused the Abia State Police Commissioner of acting in favor of armed Fulani herdsmen rather than protecting the innocent residents of the state.
Emma Powerful stated:
“The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, worldwide has been drawn to the summoning of some leaders from Bende Local Government in Abia State by the Abia State Police Commissioner over false accusations of murdering a Fulani terrorist herdsman in their community.”
He further alleged that the leaders of Nkpa Community were summoned simply because they defended their people from attacks by Fulani herdsmen, who have reportedly been terrorizing the region.
Accusations Against Security Agencies
IPOB went further to claim that:
✔️ The Fulani herdsmen falsely accused the community leaders of murder, using the situation as a pretext to justify a violent reprisal attack.
✔️ The Nigerian Police is allegedly complicit, working alongside these attackers to suppress the right of the Igbo people to defend themselves.
✔️ The police’s intimidation tactics are part of a larger strategy to weaken local resistance and leave communities vulnerable to more attacks.
IPOB maintains that self-defense is an inalienable right, and they will not allow the Igbo people to be overrun by what they describe as state-backed terrorism.
“IPOB Will Not Allow Igbos to Be Defenseless”
IPOB’s Response: We Will Not Back Down
Emma Powerful emphasized that IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) are fully committed to defending Igbo communities, with or without approval from local authorities.
“The Nigerian government, its compromised security agencies, and even its judiciary are working together to prevent the Igbo people from defending themselves. But IPOB will never allow our people to remain vulnerable.
Self-defense is a fundamental human right. Only a tree stands still while someone prepares to cut it down.”
He accused the government of Nigeria of enabling attacks against the Igbo people, by:
✔️ Protecting Fulani herdsmen instead of punishing them
✔️ Targeting local community leaders instead of criminals
✔️ Allowing herdsmen to terrorize villages with impunity
According to IPOB, this is not the first time security forces have allegedly been used to intimidate and weaken resistance against Fulani herdsmen in the Southeast region.
Growing Concerns Over Security in Southeast Nigeria
🔹 Increase in Attacks by Armed Groups
The Southeast region has seen a surge in attacks by armed herdsmen, with reports of:
🔺 Brutal killings of villagers
🔺 Kidnappings for ransom
🔺 Destruction of farmlands and properties
Communities have grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of action from security forces, leading to self-defense efforts by local groups.
Government Response: Crackdown on IPOB and ESN
Rather than addressing these attacks, the Nigerian government has continued its crackdown on IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), labeling them as terrorist organizations.
However, IPOB insists that ESN exists solely to protect Igbo communities from external attacks and has no interest in waging war against the government.
Final Thoughts: Rising Tensions in Southeast Nigeria
The situation in the Southeast is becoming increasingly volatile, with:
✔️ IPOB promising to defend the Igbo people at all costs
✔️ Local communities refusing to remain silent amid rising violence
✔️ Accusations that the Nigerian security forces are working against the region’s interests
As the Abia State Police Commissioner continues investigations into the alleged murder of the Fulani herdsman, it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold.
Will the government take decisive action to address these concerns? Or will IPOB and the Igbo people be forced to take matters into their own hands?
One thing is clear—the Southeast is on edge, and the demand for justice and security is louder than ever.
