The Indigenous People of Biafra has faulted the claims made by Senator Uzor Kalu, that over 30,000 individuals have lost their lives due to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s activism in the South-East Region, describing the claims as “false” and “irresponsible”.

Kalu, the lawmaker representing Abia North, had on Sunday lamented that the secessionist agitations linked to the activities of the convicted leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, led to the death of over 30,000 people and the destruction of businesses across the South-East.

Kanu, a former Abia State governor, disclosed this when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

But reacting to the claims in a press statement released on Tuesday, the IPOB Spokesman, Emma Powerful, asked Orji Kalu to present proof of his claims, insisting that as far as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB are concerned, they bear no responsibility for the death of any Igbo individual or the damage to businesses in the South-East.

Powerful, said the Senator’s claims arose from a person who has chosen to barter his kins for selfish political gain.

He added that IPOB is extremely upset and enraged by Orji Uzor’s “false statements”, as his assertions are entirely fabricated and part of a deliberate campaign to undermine the pro-Biafran group and its leader.

The statement read in part, “The worldwide family and movement of the IPOB denounces the irresponsible and false claims from Senator Orji Uzor that 30,000 individuals lost their lives due to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s activism in the South East region.

“This declaration arises from a malevolent spirit and a person who has chosen to barter his kin for selfish political gain.

“IPOB is extremely upset and enraged by Orji Uzor’s false statements, as his assertions are entirely fabricated and part of a deliberate campaign to undermine IPOB and MNK.

“The insecurity, fatalities, and devastation that occurred in the South-East were orchestrated by the Federal Government and certain South-Eastern politicians to blackmail IPOB and ESN.

“The IPOB struggle has remained non-violent despite the Federal Government employing infamous security forces to arrest, torture… numerous IPOB members.

“The evidence shows that IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have consistently been targets of military aggression, violence, and killings backed by the state.”

According to him, IPOB has demanded impartial investigations into the violence and deaths occurring in the South East since 2015, but unfortunately, to this day, the Federal Government and the politicians have yet to permit an independent investigation.

“IPOB urges Orji Uzor Kalu to present proof of his assertions. As far as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB are involved, we bear no responsibility for the death of any Igbo individual or the damage to businesses in the East,” the statement said.

PUNCH Online on Sunday, reported that the lawmaker representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Sunday lamented that the secessionist agitations linked to the activities of the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, led to the death of over 30,000 people and the destruction of businesses across the South-East.

Kalu disclosed this when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Speaking against the backdrop of Kanu’s recent conviction on terrorism charges, the former Abia governor cautioned political actors and supporters to shelve what he described as “noise making” and instead pursue a political resolution to the crisis.

The lawmaker argued that public discourse has been disproportionately fixated on clashes involving security operatives while ignoring the mass casualties and business losses suffered by ordinary people across the South-East.

He said, “I wouldn’t like to talk about this issue. It’s not the time for noise-making or fighting. It’s a time for sober reflection.

“We have to solve this problem holistically. Do you know that over 30,000 Igbos were killed? People who have shops have lost their businesses.

“I used to sell my own manufactured products in Aba. I know what the numbers were. But people are just talking about soldiers killed and not the rest of them. The problem of Nnamdi Kanu is what we need to solve through the political process.

“Just as the theory Bianca Ojukwu and Mascot Kalu propounded, they (people) should stop the noise and focus on the settlement with the federal government. Let me tell you. I have been working with the Federal Government on how to solve this issue.” (The PUNCH)