IPOB denies killing Ebonyi-born Muslim cleric
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have denied any involvement in the recent killing of an Islamic cleric in Ebonyi State.
A Muslim cleric, originally from Ebonyi State and a convert to the Muslim faith, Sheikh Ibrahim Iyiorji, was recently murdered in the state by unidentified gunmen.
Speculation was that the IPOB might be responsible for the killing, but the group said killing Muslims was not part of its mandate.
In a press statement by the group's spokesperson, Mr. Emma Puissant, he said that killing a Muslim would add nothing to his quest for the Republic of Biafra.
Part of the statement read: "IPOB does not engage in such barbaric killings and cannot be part of such a heinous crime against humanity. IPOB does not kill flies, talks about human beings and an Igbo man for that matter, regardless of religious belief.
"Important questions to ask are: Why will the IPOB kill this Igbo Islamic cleric? Is he a threat to the Biafran movement? How many of our known enemies have we killed?"
The group said Nigerian security agencies like to stage the confessions of criminals in hopes of indicting them.
They added that the criminals labeled as unknown gunmen were not part of the IPOB, stating that their activities are in the open and cannot be called unknown.
"Some unscrupulous elements and petty thieves are constantly staged by security guards to lie against IPOB members and ESN officers.
"IPOB and ESN have never killed any army officer, police officer or DSS agent despite all the provocations on behalf of unknown gunmen since we started seeking the freedom of Biafra.< /p>
"IPOB and ESN do not hide their activities and cannot be called unknown gunmen because we are neither faceless nor cowards. We are fearless before our enemies."
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have denied any involvement in the recent killing of an Islamic cleric in Ebonyi State.
A Muslim cleric, originally from Ebonyi State and a convert to the Muslim faith, Sheikh Ibrahim Iyiorji, was recently murdered in the state by unidentified gunmen.
Speculation was that the IPOB might be responsible for the killing, but the group said killing Muslims was not part of its mandate.
In a press statement by the group's spokesperson, Mr. Emma Puissant, he said that killing a Muslim would add nothing to his quest for the Republic of Biafra.
Part of the statement read: "IPOB does not engage in such barbaric killings and cannot be part of such a heinous crime against humanity. IPOB does not kill flies, talks about human beings and an Igbo man for that matter, regardless of religious belief.
"Important questions to ask are: Why will the IPOB kill this Igbo Islamic cleric? Is he a threat to the Biafran movement? How many of our known enemies have we killed?"
The group said Nigerian security agencies like to stage the confessions of criminals in hopes of indicting them.
They added that the criminals labeled as unknown gunmen were not part of the IPOB, stating that their activities are in the open and cannot be called unknown.
"Some unscrupulous elements and petty thieves are constantly staged by security guards to lie against IPOB members and ESN officers.
"IPOB and ESN have never killed any army officer, police officer or DSS agent despite all the provocations on behalf of unknown gunmen since we started seeking the freedom of Biafra.< /p>
"IPOB and ESN do not hide their activities and cannot be called unknown gunmen because we are neither faceless nor cowards. We are fearless before our enemies."
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