Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the group, has condemned “charlatans” causing mayhem in the south-east.
In the 2023 global terrorism index (GTI) ranking released in March 2023, IPOB was ranked as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world – with 40 attacks and 57 deaths in 2022.
The separatist group has introduced sit-at-home to demand the release of Kanu who is being detained by the Department of Security Services (DSS).
Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of the IPOB leader, had declared a total lockdown in the south-east geopolitical zone from July 3 to 10, instructing members of the group to interrupt business activities and prevent people from carrying out their daily work.
However, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), had described the sit-at-home directive as the handiwork of a criminal enterprise, noting that IPOB has “publicly denied issuing such directive.”
Speaking about the development in a statement on Monday, Ejiofor quoted Kanu as speaking during a visit to him at the detention facility, that those orchestrating the constant attacks on the geo-political zone are enemies of the people.
“Onyendu was deeply worried about the heinous activities of charlatans who are unleashing havoc/mayhem on our peaceful people in the South-East under the guise of unauthorized sit-at-home orders, for which Onyendu, for the umpteenth time reiterated his strong rejection, disapproval, and condemnation of the activities of these obvious enemies of our people,” he said.
“Onyendu reminded those behind these criminal activities that by their ill-conceived actions, they are speedily destroying the economy of the south-east, for which the federal government of Nigeria will be celebrating and applauding them.”