By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Sunday, urged Ndigbo in Nigeria and abroad who have plans of coming home for the Christmas festivities, to do so, saying that its security network, ESN Operatives and IPOB volunteers, will ensure their security throughout the entire South East Region during the Yuletide season.

IPOB in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, made available to journalists in Awka acknowledged that there are areas of insecurity in Biafra Land, but noted that its security network with the support of Igbo people have done well maintaining security in the zone.

The statement read in part, "We are affected by the broader insecurity occurring in Nigeria. Nonetheless, IPOB and ESN, alongside the support of Ndigbo, have performed admirably in maintaining the security of Alaigbo relative to other areas.

"The South East Region is Nigeria's most tranquil area. Despite the sponsored instability in the East over the last 4 years, the security conditions have notably enhanced.

"The government and their backed criminals have depleted their orchestrated insecurity employed to blackmail IPOB and ESN.

"Despite all the antics and deadly deeds of hyenas and jackals, the landowners remain present to defend and hold onto their territory. The Eastern region has consistently been secure and will always remain secure since Ndigbo are inherently peaceful.

"Thus, we urge Ndigbo and their friends wishing to visit Ala Igbo this Christmas to return home and experience the warmth of the Land of the Rising Sun.

"Our people need to disregard the funded and exaggerated media effort portraying insecurity in the Biafra region."

The group however clarified what it cited as false rumours circulating on social media regarding the alleged kidnapping of some passengers at Ngor Okpala along the Owerri-Aba Expressway recently. The mentioned kidnapping event was false.

It noted that the footage of the abduction incident was an old clip that reappeared on social media, adding that numerous security tasks have been carried out discreetly by the ESN Operatives without any social media attention.

While urging the public to be aware that ESN lacks any social media accounts, it said that their activities cannot either be observed on social media apart from those that IPOB leadership has authorized for posting.

The group observed that the absence of continuous killings and abductions in that Eastern region serves as evidence that there are Lions guarding the Land.

"Those spreading the falsehood that ESN Operatives have been wiped out should question the Fulani terrorists about their avoidance of the Eastern region. The Igbo proverb states, "onye si na Osimmiri atala, ya tinye ukwu ya" (whoever claims a river is dry should place their feet in it).

"The Nigerian government, along with certain self-serving Igbo politicians, have attempted and been unsuccessful in breaking up ESN and IPOB. The Biafra Restoration project led by IPOB is a sacred initiative. Thus, darkness cannot eliminate light.

"The restoration of Biafra is a summons from Chukwu Okike Abiama (God Almighty), and it will materialize at the appropriate moment. In the end, we invite our people to come back home for Christmas in large numbers and to also bring some investments to be made in our region. Do not allow anyone or the government to use fear tactics to make you abandon Biafra Land. We greet you during this joyful season. May God bless each of you and provide safe travels on roads, oceans, and in the air. Iseeeee!” the statement added.

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