It’s unreasonable to attribute killing of soldiers to IPOB, says Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), says it is “unreasonable” to attribute the killing of soldiers in Abia state to the group.

On Thursday, five soldiers were killed by gunmen at a military checkpoint in Obikabia junction in Abia.

The gunmen were said to have been enforcing the sit-at-home directive issued by IPOB when they attacked the soldiers.

The separatist group had issued a directive for residents of the five south-east states to stay at home on Thursday to commemorate Biafra Day.

However, after the attack, the military authorities vowed to avenge the killings, while the Abia government has placed a N25 million bounty on the killers.

In a statement on Saturday, Ejiofor, who is also one of the lawyers representing Nnamdi Kanu, the detained IPOB leader, condemned the “unprovoked” attack on the soldiers.

The lawyer said it is “unreasonable” to attribute the attack to the group before the completion of the investigation.

Ejiofor claimed that IPOB has been peaceful in its struggle for secession, adding that the group has distanced itself from “criminals claiming to be freedom fighters”.

“I roundly condemn, in unmistaken terms, the unprovoked attack on military personnel at a checkpoint in Aba, Abia State on the 30th day of May 2024,” the statement reads.

“Furthermore, it is unreasonable to attribute the commission of this dastardly act to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whom I am its lead counsel, even before any investigation has been conducted.

“IPOB has maintained its peaceful stance in their self-determination quest for a sovereign state of Biafra and has at all times distanced itself from the activities of the criminals claiming to be freedom fighters, who have publicly taken responsibility for this heinous crime.

“Whatever evil motive behind the actions of the evil souls that perpetuated this evil act has no justification under any circumstance and stands totally condemned.”

SIMON EKPA’S FACTION

While many residents of the south-east states were observing the sit-at-home order on Thursday, Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Kanu, posted several pictures on X showing gunmen enforcing the order.

Ekpa is a Finland-based lawyer, using his social media to issue sit-at-home directives in the south-east and call for secession.

On many occasions, Ekpa has shared pictures and videos showing gunmen violently enforcing sit-at-home orders and attacking security operatives.

The IPOB leadership had distanced the group from the activities of Ekpa.