IPOB reacts to claims it abducted, tortured Nigerian soldier of Igbo descent to resign

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Wednesday, categorically denied allegations made by the Nigerian Army that its members abducted and assaulted a soldier sent to spy on the Biafra movement in the South-East.

IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, dismissed the claims as “propaganda” and a “self-staged crime” by the Nigerian Army’s leadership.

Powerful emphasized that IPOB has never forced, nor will it ever force, Igbo people to resign from the Nigerian Army and other security agencies. “IPOB can only appeal to the conscience of Biafrans but will never impose anything on anyone at gunpoint,” he stated.

The controversy began when the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, accused Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of IPOB, of circulating a video showing the torture of retired Corporal Toriola Adewale.

However, Powerful argued that the video was a “false flag operation” and not produced by IPOB.

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“The Biafra Nation IPOB is championing, which is a nation where rights are guaranteed and respected, guides our people through reasoning,” Powerful explained.

He also criticized the Nigerian Army, saying it “has reduced itself to mere social media gossip.”

“Although IPOB has called for Biafrans serving in Nigerian security agencies to resign, IPOB has never and will never force our brothers and sisters in the Nigerian security agencies to resign under duress.

“The so-called video of an abducted spying soldier is another false flag operation by the Nigerian Army and their provocateurs to continue their murderous onslaught against Ndigbo. The Nigerian Army has reduced itself to mere social media gossip.”

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