Security operatives intercept IPOB combat drone in Imo – Investigation

… Uncover 225 dynamites, IEDs primed for deployment

‘… Secessionists changing operations, using human shield’

…Kanu, Ekpa’s fight for control, money – Official

Security operatives in Imo state have allegedly intercepted a combat drone belonging to the proscribed secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The drone, which is modelled like an agriculture surveillance drone, Blueprint Weekend investigations revealed, was imported into the country from China and had been deployed for operations before the operatives identified and seized it in a sting operation.

The operatives in a separate operation uncovered 225 dynamites and other Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) already primed for deployment in Amaebu, Ebenato Community in Orsu Local Government of Imo state by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

An official of the Imo state government, who is conversant with the development but asked not to be named for fear of being targeted, told our correspondent that: “These IPOB people are going scientific, they are changing operations. It goes beyond the drone. They are building their camps within communities. They are hiding under human shields. You know the South-east is densely populated.”

The official further disclosed that, “This camp, which is located at a boundary community between Imo and Anambra state, is at the base of the valley where they use explosives to rig round for maximum casualties if the camp is attacked.

“They also have CCTVs mounted on telecommunication masts to monitor movements. Though some of them have been removed, it still makes it difficult for security operatives to have access. There is also the fear of collateral civilian losses in the event that the explosives are detonated.”

Speaking further the source said, “These people don’t believe in Biafra, even their leaders, Kanu and the other one that leads the autopilot faction ESN, Simon Ekpa, and his lawyer, Barr, Ifenayi Ejiofor, their fight is basically about control of money scattered in Europe including Germany where they have at least $700,000.

“It’s entirely about who takes what and some ignorant people are allowing themselves to be used as foot soldiers in their battle for supremacy. See the massacres in the name of sit-at-home order. These people are fighting real dirty and even involving their families.”

Claims, counterclaims

The battle for supremacy in IPOB may have come to head as spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful, Friday, in a press statement said Ekpa was not a member of the Kanu-led group, adding that he would expose the secrets of the self-acclaimed disciple of the IPOB leader.

IPOB claimed that the five-day sit-at-home declared by Ekpa had shown that he was an enemy of the self-determination group.

The statement, however, acknowledged that, “Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor is IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer. He is not an IPOB member. Therefore, he has the legal right as a lawyer to defend whatever can bring damage to the IPOB movement.

“Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor knew very well that IPOB did not issue the 5-day sit-at-home order that was used to destroy the lives and property of Biafrans and lovers of freedom across the South-east region this month.”

It added that, “Barrister Ejiofor has the backing of IPOB to protect their interests and their rights. He did what is necessary as a person who has been defamed several times and also as IPOB legal counsel to protect the hard-earned image of the movement than watch the sponsored criminals destroy Igboland in the name of IPOB.”

Ejiofor has begun a process to initiate a suit against Ekpa, for his alleged criminal activities in the South-east, using IPOB.

On his part, Ekpa had accused Ejiofor of being a government mole in IPOB as well as selling Kanu out because he was allegedly sleeping with his wife, Uchechi, and fathered the IPOB leader’s last son.

Ekpa in a Tweet on November 24, 2022, bragged that more exposure was coming as he had evidence including date, time, and location to back his claims.