Uwazuruike: ESN is social media outfit — only south-east governors can set up security group

Ralph Uwazuruike, founder of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), says the Eastern Security Network (ESN) launched by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a “social media network” that does not have any form of recognition.

Speaking when he featured on ‘Your View’, a programme on Television Continental (TVC) on Tuesday, Uwazururike said only south-east governors have the power to establish a security outfit for the region.

On December 14, IPOB announced the launch of ESN for the south-east and south-south regions — a replication of Amotekun in the south-west zone.

The establishment of ESN sparked mixed reactions as calls on south-east governors to establish a joint regional security outfit intensified.

Amid the rising insecurity in the region, on Sunday, governors of the region announced the setting-up of a joint security outfit, codenamed ‘Ebube Agu’.

Reacting to the development, the MASSOB leader said ESN is an internet outfit that does not have any legal backing for its establishment, adding that no individual has the right to establish a security outfit for the region.

“There is nothing like Eastern Security Network. Nobody believes in ESN; that was just an internet affair — social media network. They did that on the social media,” he said.

“Nobody recognises ESN. I do not recognise ESN, personally; because nobody has the right to provide security for me when it is not legal; when it is not with the force of the law.”

“You do not have more security than Ralph Uwazuruike as an individual in the south-east. Like now I’m willing to donate 5,000 men and women to the south-east governors to work with them without interference.”

Uwazuruike said Ebube Agu is the recognised security outfit for the region because it was established by the south-east governors.

“No individual, no matter what you are, without consultation should establish a security outfit for the south-east region. It doesn’t happen. It is only Ebule Agu, established by the south-east governors that is recognised as a security outfit for the region,” he added.

“It is only the south-east governors that have the authority to establish a security outfit for the south-east. No individual has the right to establish any security outfit for the region.”