The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called the general public to disregard the claim of the Nigerian military that its personnel were responsible for stopping the infamous Monday sit-at-home.
Peoplesmind had reported that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, had claimed early this month that sit-at-home order enforced by IPOB was ended as a result of the heightened efforts of his men and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
He had said, “We have equally heightened our efforts in containing criminalities perpetrated in the South East Region by the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network. Through Operation Udo Ka, our troops have, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, put an end to the infamous sit-at-home order that has almost crippled socio-economic activities in the Region.”
IPOB had declared sit-at-home in August 2021 to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from illegal detention at facility of the Department of State Services (DSS). Later IPOB called off the sit-at-home following sustained outcry from the elders and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
However, reacting to the Chief of Army Staff claim, IPOB in statement on Friday, described the claim as unable to hold water.
The statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled, “The public should ignore Nigeria Military claim of stopping Monday sit-at-home order in South East” IPOB maintained that it was their leader Nazi Nnamdi Kanu’s instruction to Simon Ekpa and his group that were still observing the sit-at-home that brought an end to it.
It asked the Nigerian security agencies to stop the claim of stopping Monday weekly sit-at-home in the South East, adding that their men always hid in barracks on Mondays during while the exercise lasted.
The statement partly read, “We therefore, request the general public to ignore the military and other security agencies. The claims of the Nigeria military of being responsible for stopping the infamous sit-at-homes are laughable and criminal.
Peoplesmind
