Ebonyi govt. reveals plan to clampdown on IPOB

The government of Ebonyi State on Monday threatened to clampdown on the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, for unlawful organizing of activities that threatens the peace and order of the people of the state.

Recall that the group had a week ago organized protest in Abakaliki against the now suspended RUGA settlement for herdsmen and other policies of the federal government.

The Ebonyi government has now warned members of the public against further participation in the activities of IPOB in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by Secretary to the state Government Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, and the state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Chief Kenneth Uhuo, and issued to newsmen in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi state.

The government advised parents and guardians not to allow their children and wards to engage in any unauthorized gatherings as the security agencies have been mobilized to deal with any individual or group found to be involved in any unlawful gathering in the state.

The statement noted that constructive engagement with the federal government will address all grievances of the Igbo in the country, adding that any individual or group that has any genuine reason to agitate should do so through the platforms of the South-East Governors Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other legitimate means within the country.

The statement reads ”the attention of the general public is hereby drawn to a federal high court order, which proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) since September, 2017 and classified it as a terrorist organization in Nigeria.

“By that order, the IPOB has become an unlawful organization, and all its activities become criminal within the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011.

“Members of the public are therefore warned that any participation in the activities of the organization, under whatever guise has become an offence punishable under various laws of the country. As a responsible government committed to maintaining law and order, the state government is not going to allow IPOB to endanger lives and property of their citizens, by organizing any form of activity in the state.

“Any individual or group that has any genuine reason to agitate should do so through the platforms of the South East Governors Forum, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and through other legitimate means within the Nigerian federation.

“The Ebonyi state government reiterates its belief that constructive engagement with the federal government shall gradually address all grievances of the Igbos in Nigeria.

“Traditional rulers and Town Union leaders should be vigilant, and not hesitate to report to security agencies every suspicious movements in their domains,” it stated.