The Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) has narrated how Commander Ikonso, who heads a branch of its Eastern Security Network (ESN) was killed.
Mr Ikonso was killed on Saturday with his remains shown to the press. Other members of his gang were captured alive in the early morning military operation that comprised of the Army, Police and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS).
Media reports quoting security sources claimed the deceased warlord was eliminated during a raid at the headquarters of the security outfit, a claim the secessionist group refuted in a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful.
Mr Powerful who described the death of Ikonso as painful, said Ikonso was murdered in cold blood while narrating what transpired.
He said Ikonso and some members of IPOB and ESN operatives were killed at Oguta junction at Mgbidi, along Owerri road Onitsha expressway and not in their hideout by a joint security force with the support of Imo State Government.
“Contrary to claims by the cowardly security forces who flee from terrorists but kill innocent citizens, they were not able to penetrate into the camp of Eastern Security Network ESN,” he said. “They only ambushed Ikonso but we promise them hell for this cowardly act!”
The group stated that before his death, the warlord was accosted with mouth watering offers to collapse his gang into Ebubeagu, a security outfit by eastern governors, but refused to compromise.
“Uzodinma decided to kill Ikonso because he refused his offer to head Ebubeagu ghost security outfit formed by South East governors,” Powerful asserted. “Uzodinma has tried but without success to lure ESN operatives into Ebubeagu. He had made irresistible offers to them which were turned down, hence his resorting to elimination of these patriotic heroes who vowed never to betray Biafra.”
The group also chided security agencies who could not enforce a court order directing cattle dealers who staged armed resistance in Enugu State to relocate their business premises.
“Fulani terrorists pretending as cattle sellers in Enugu destroyed Police van and attacked Government officials on lawful duty with AK-47 but no Army, police or DSS attacked them till now. But ESN operatives defending our communities against the terrorists are being hunted like games every day. The world has kept quiet over this atrocity until we begin our own madness.”
