Days after the Nigerian Armed Forces launched a massive attack on and destroyed the shrines of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), a factional leader of the group, Simon Ekpa, has reiterated his threat to frustrate and stop the smooth conduct of the 2023 general elections in Igboland.
Troops in joint operations have in recent weeks sustained a massive onslaught on the terrorists and destroyed their strongholds across the southeast.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, in a recent briefing confirmed that in one of the operations, after a gun duel, the military destroyed IPOB shrines as well as posters with the inscription “No Election. Ekpa, who operates from Finland, threatened to impose a curfew and ban election in 31 ‘Biafra Provinces.’
The IPOB ‘publicist’ in the video broadcast said that the curfew would be implemented at all federal roads leading to Okigwe, Owerri, Orlu, Abakaliki and Enugu metropolis, prior, during and after the presidential election, billed for February 25.
Ekpa, in the 8-minute TikTok video, threatened that IPOB ‘militia’ will not allow the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to smoothly conduct the presidential election in the South East.
He threatened that there would not be elections in Enugu, Aba, Owerri, Orlu, Awka, Auchi, Benin, Warri, Asaba, Umuahia, Okigwe, Onitsha and across the entire 31 ‘provinces’ of ‘Biafraland.’
Ekpa, in the video clip, further said: “On the 23rd of February 2023, there will be a sit-at-home. On the 24th of February, there will be a lockdown in the entire Biafra territory. On the 25th of February, Biafraland will be under lock and key.
“On the 26th of February, Biafraland will be sealed and under lock and key. The same thing will happen on the 27th and 28th of February too. The particular dates are however subjects to review, as they can be called off at any time.”
Meanwhile, an intelligence source told that Simon Ekpa is a deranged person who deployed his social media platforms for extortions.
The top security source, who pleaded anonymity, said major security measures have been taken to ensure hitch-free elections in 2023.
“That chap, Simon Ekpa is a deranged person who just boasts in an attempt to defraud people in the name of the Biafra Liberation Movement. He will soon meet the same fate that befalls his boss, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in detention.
“The current security strategies put in place have helped in the arrest of some suspects and eliminated notorious terrorists during confrontations with the security operatives.
“While the police are the lead agency in the electoral matters, other services including military, paramilitary, response and intelligence agencies are providing the required support to ensure free, fair election in secured environments throughout the federation,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Babagana Monguno, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Lucky Irabor and the inspector-general of police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, have also assured Nigerians of safe and rancour-free elections.
reports that the trio made their commitment this week during a visit by the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to the NSA.
Monguno said although there were issues confronting the polity, he, however, said agitations geared towards the conduct of 2023 should be dispelled as the election will go on without any rancour.
He said the security outfits have put in place measures to ensure that Nigerians exercise their franchise without fear.
“We have done a lot to put things in place. We have had meetings with INEC, Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security (ICCES) which I chair. I know what we have put on the ground.
“All of us here who are the managers of securing the process know our responsibilities and we are not in any doubt,” he said.
He also dispelled illusions by agents of fake news and misinformation that the elections would not hold.
“Every Nigerian that will go out to exercise their franchise will do that in a secure atmosphere.
“I have confidence in the security architecture as well as intelligent reports from them and they have assured us. The remaining 17 days before the elections will be an intense period for us and I know that all security agencies are equal to the task,” he added.
Also, Irabor said the armed forces have been monitoring the electioneering process and polity closely.
Irabor assured that the Armed Forces will support the police as the lead agency handling the electioneering process.
He pledged the commitment of the Armed Forces to ensuring security during the polls.
More so, IGP Alkali Baba, while admitting to the issues of crime and criminality in certain states of the federation, said it will work hard to tame all the people behind the violent agitation.
On his part, the INEC chairman lauded the NSA for convening the high-level security meeting.
He said with just 17 days to the 2023 elections, the meeting is coming at a critical moment.
“We welcome the assurances by the NSA and the Chief of Defence Staff/Inspector General of Police that the security and intelligence agencies are prepared for the election to proceed as scheduled.”
For the commission, he said preparation for the election has gone far.
Yakubu said most of the sensitive and non-sensitive materials are already in various locations nationwide.
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