IPOB calls on IGP, military to dismantle all road blocks in Southeast

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Friday called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, and the military to immediately dismantle all road blocks they mounted in the Southeast zone for smooth flow of vehicular movement.

The group made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, on Friday.

IPOB alleged that the incessant military intimidation, harassment, and perceived extortion at the military checkpoint mounted at Ukwu Orji in Mbaitolu LGA along Owerri/Onitsha expressway among others have become unbearable.

The statement reads in part: “Ndigbo passengers have been subjected to all manners of humiliation, torture, and forceful disappearances at the military and police checkpoints in the Eastern Region, particularly at the military checkpoint at Ukwu Orji along Owerri/Onitsha expressway.

“The militarization of the SouthEast Region is not only an intimidating and oppressive policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria and her Security Agencies, but it is also a plan to occupy Biafra territory.

“The security agencies of Nigeria also contravene UN human rights commission rules regularly in carrying out their plans in Igboland. The Nigerian government’s economic strangulation policy against Ndigbo can be felt by all inhabitants of Igbo land” the group alleged.