Imo IPOB/Military Clash Echoes In Abia

There is uneasy calm in Abia State following clashes between the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Nigeria Military in Orlu, Imo State on Monday.

It is unclear what led to the clash, but Governor Hope Uzodinma quickly declared dusk to dawn curfew in Orlu and seven other local governments following sporadic shootings and violence.

But the rapid spread of the Orlu violence to other local government areas of Imo State has alerted residents of Abia State to the possibility of a spill over.

Some residents who spoke to THE WHISTLER in Umuahia on Tuesday expressed different views on the development but urge caution on the part of IPOB and the army.

Mr Uche Ogbonna, a business man, said the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, must be cautious about their security network.

“They have to be careful. Clashing with the military may lead to another operation python dance in the Southeast,” he said and called on the new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to rise up and condemn the killing of innocent Igbos in Orlu.

 Mr Onyebuchi  Kalu, a software engineer, expressed gratitude to Kanu for the formation of ESN, stating that it’s time for the Igbos “to be vigilant and defend themselves since the Buhari led federal government is paying a lips service to the menace Fulani herdsmen in the country.”

On her part, Mrs Nnennaya Egbuta, a trader,  condemned the way alleged herdsmen are infiltrating the Southeast and destroying farmlands and raping women in rural areas.

She called on the ESN to be more proactive and work with different Igbo leaders to secure the region.

The then Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, had said that the ESN was not Biafran Army and neither is it for forceful declaration of Biafran Republic.

He said it was established to guard the whole of south-east against the menace of killer herdsmen and other criminal groups.