S’East govs, IPOB clash over Ebube Agu

The battle for supremacy in Southeastern Nigeria over the legitimacy of the two security outfits, ESN and EbubeAgu has pitched two powerful factions within the region against each other.

Since the newly formed EbubeAgu was formed, the Eastern Security Network loyal to the secessionist group, Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) has failed to acknowledge its existence.

It warned Igbo youths to keep their distance from EbubeAgu if its motive is to spy on pro-Biafra groups.

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, however, said yesterday that the new security outfit will be backed by law, saying the houses of assembly in the region are working to give it legal teeth.

This is even as Ralph Uwazuruike, founder of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday threw his weight behind EbubeAgu, saying the Eastern Security Network, ESN, launched by IPOB, remains a “social media network” that has no form of recognition.”

Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, also yesterday backed the establishment of regional security networks across the country to provide cover for defenceless Nigerians but cautioned governors against using them to intimidate perceived enemies.

It will be recalled that South-East governors had on Sunday announced the formation of EbubeAgu, saying the regional security network which will be an amalgam of all the vigilante groups in the region, would be headquartered in Enugu.

IPOB rejects Ebube Agu

But reacting to EbubeAgu’s formation in a statement yesterday, IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, rejected the outfit, saying the establishment of another security outfit in the zone is unnecessary.

IPOB said the Eastern Security, Network ESN, set up in December 2020 by its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is enough and already living up to expectations, Vanguard.ng said.

According to IPOB, the action of the governors is rather belated and suspicious.

The statement read: “How can you launch a security outfit without first assembling the personnel and equipping them?

“When Amotekun was formed, it was not abstract, the personnel and their equipment were handy. When our leader floated the gallant Eastern Security Network, ESN, the men were on ground.

“How then did South-East governors announce a security outfit without any personnel or were they under any pressure to hurriedly make the announcement after years of foot-draging and deceit?

“However, whether or not they were under any influence, we want to remind them that there is no need for them to form another security outfit in our land since we have our formidable ESN. They woke up from their slumber rather too late. We have gone beyond that stage unless they are on a mission to sabotage ESN.

“Any other security outfit formed in South-East will crash because ESN is already on ground and living up to expectations.

“ESN was floated based on the clamour by our people, and they have since thrown their support behind the outfit. Forming another regional security outfit is suspicious, and a needless waste.

“The governors failed our people when they needed their protection. It’s already late! Biafrans will not be deceived by this purported EbubeAgu security outfit which is a huge joke.

“South-East governors set up the outfit probably to fulfil all righteousness or to spy on ESN to curry favour from their slave masters.”

The statement warned of bitter consequences for anyone joining EbubeAgu with the intention to spy on ESN.

“We, therefore,   warn our youths to have nothing to do with the so-called EbubeAgu security outfit which was ostensibly formed to sabotage IPOB and ESN.

“Anyone who neglects this warning and thinks he can hide under the cloak of EbubeAgu to spy on ESN should be prepared to join his ancestors. The protection of all Biafrans is our priority and we are prepared to sacrifice anything to achieve this.’’