The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has stated that no one has been authorized to enforce the Monday sit-at-home order, which has resulted in the deaths and destruction of lives and property in the South-East.

In response to hoodlum attacks in communities across Anambra and Enugu states on Monday, the group claimed the attackers were paid by politicians to blackmail IPOB.

As a result, the group urged the region’s governors to take firm action against anyone who uses Monday sit-at-home to torture innocent citizens and residents of their states.

The group said in a statement released Tuesday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, that no legitimate member of IPOB or the Eastern Security Network was involved in any implementation of the Monday sit-at-home order, and that anyone who did so was working against Biafra restoration.

Anyone who terrorizes innocent citizens under the guise of enforcing a sit-at-home order, according to the statement, is a criminal who does not deserve sympathy.

According to the statement, “We have severally explained that IPOB has not authorized anybody to enforce any Monday sit-at-home which has been suspended since September 19, 2021. Anybody unleashing sorrow on innocent citizens under the guise of enforcing sit-at-home order is a criminal and does not deserve pity.

“The attention of the global movement and family of IPOB has been drawn to the senseless shootings and destruction of properties in the South-East on Monday by hoodlums and cultists recruited and sponsored by some evil politicians in the state who derive joy in spilling the blood of their fellow citizens.”

The IPOB warned criminals who collude with security agencies and foes of the freedom struggle to stop, noting that the group was not formed to terrorize people.

As a result, the governors in the region have been tasked with providing security for the people on Mondays, because “ESN is now ready to confront these criminals.”

The group also reassured the people that they remain peaceful and committed to achieving Biafra independence.

The IPOB said, “Nobody should link IPOB or ESN with these bunch of criminal acts in our region and those enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order. How can we stop sit-at-home and then turn around to compel people to observe it?

“IPOB is not a hypocritical group and we must come out victorious. The media should stop linking IPOB and ESN with the criminals behind this sad development. They are not our members and we can never accommodate these kinds of criminals in our movement and family of IPOB.

“Now, we want to inform our people to stand firm in the fight for their liberty. IPOB did not ask anybody to enforce sit-at-home of any kind. Henceforth, ESN operatives will come from the bushes and forests and go after these criminals unleashing mayhem on the innocent people and visitors to Biafra land in the name of enforcing a non-existent Monday sit-at-home order.”

The statement further added, “We ask the governors to also deal decisively with any hoodlum using Monday sit-at-home to torture innocent citizens/residents of the state. No genuine member of IPOB or ESN operative is involved in any enforcement of Monday’s sit-at-home order. Anybody doing so is working against Biafra restoration.

“We equally call on our people and members of the public to deal with any idiot caught inflicting sorrow on the people in the name of enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order.

“Such evil soul and messenger of death doesn’t deserve to live. Those shooting sporadically in the markets are criminals and bandits using the name of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, and ESN to humiliate our people and demonize the movement. Their aim is to give the Federal Government excuse to hold our leader perpetually in detention.

“ESN operatives must be ready to confront criminals creating these problems in the name of ESN and IPOB in the region. We have suspended the Monday sit-at-home a long time ago, and we have not rescinded that decision. Biafrans must be strong to withstand our enemies and their collaborators every Monday.”