By Our Correspondent
The Indigenous People of Biafra has marked the fifth anniversary of its Eastern Security Network, commending the group for what it described as its role in protecting lives and property in the South East region of Nigeria.
In a statement to mark the anniversary, IPOB said the Eastern Security Network was formed in response to rising insecurity and claimed it has helped reduce attacks by armed groups and criminal elements in the region. The group stated that ESN was created as a self defence initiative following what it described as the inability of authorities to adequately secure local communities.
IPOB also used the occasion to call on the United States and international bodies to take stronger action against terrorism in Nigeria. It urged the global community to confront extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, which it blamed for widespread violence and instability across the country.
The group appealed to international stakeholders to adopt what it described as a fair and transparent approach to Nigeria’s security challenges, arguing that local self defence efforts should not be treated in the same manner as internationally recognised terrorist organisations.
The Eastern Security Network was launched in December 2020 by IPOB. However, the Nigerian government has since proscribed IPOB and designated it a terrorist organisation. Security agencies have repeatedly accused ESN of involvement in violent attacks in the South East, allegations that IPOB has denied, attributing insecurity in the region to criminal gangs and other armed actors.
The anniversary comes amid continued tension between IPOB supporters and Nigerian security forces, as well as ongoing debate over the causes of insecurity in the South East and the role of national and international actors in addressing the situation.
