Imo Correctional Centre/Police Headquarters Attack: IPOB, ESN Denies Involvement

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Security outfit, Eastern Security Network (ESN) have denied involvement in the midnight attack of the Owerri Correctional Center and Police Headquarters, saying that it’s members remain peaceful since its formation.

A statement by the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, took exception to some media reports linking IPOB to the attack.

He said: “The attention of IPOB has been drawn again to the fallacious and fabricated news that IPOB and ESN are involved in the attack of prison and police headquarters in Owerri Imo State.

“IPOB and ESN are known groups, not unknown gunmen. ESN is in the bush chasing Fulani terrorists, why linking IPOB and ESN to this attack. IPOB and ESN were not involved in the attack in Owerri Imo State and the recent attack on Onitsha Owerri road at Ukwuorji junction. It is not our mandate to attack security personnel or prison facilities.

“The Nigeria Government and her compromised media outfits should stop linking IPOB and ESN to the multiple attacks going on in Nigeria now. IPOB was formed on the principle of peace and we are still in it. Unknown gunmen is different people which we don’t know them and they are not IPOB or ESN security outfit.”

In the midnight attack, many inmates were released while facilities including vehicles were burnt by the yet to be identified gunmen.