By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has refuted allegations of blackmail, accusing the Nigerian government and security agencies of attempting to tarnish its image by linking it to the ongoing Monday sit-at-home protests in the South-East.
In a statement released by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group maintained that it had officially suspended the sit-at-home order and disassociated itself from any violent enforcement of the directive.
According to IPOB, security operatives have been responsible for the continued enforcement of the protest by harassing and arresting innocent youths.
“The Nigerian Army and Police have been patrolling rural communities on Mondays, arresting young men, which has only fueled the enforcement of sit-at-home,” the statement read. “IPOB had suspended the order after its initial success and has continuously condemned any act of violence linked to it.”
The group alleged that certain individuals had been recruited to commit crimes in its name, but recent arrests abroad had exposed these actions, leading to a decline in such incidents. IPOB argued that the only solution to ending the sit-at-home protests lies in the unconditional release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and genuine engagement with the South-East region.
“If the Nigerian Army is truly committed to national security, they should focus on addressing the wider security challenges affecting the country, instead of targeting civil actions in the South-East,” IPOB stated.
The group also urged the federal government and South-East governors to engage in meaningful dialogue rather than relying on force to suppress dissent.
“The Nigerian government should explore peaceful solutions,” the statement added. “The release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will go a long way in addressing the underlying issues behind the sit-at-home protests.”
The agitation for Kanu’s release has remained a contentious issue, with calls from political figures and rights groups urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene. IPOB insists that resolving the matter through dialogue would bring stability to the region and ease tensions among the people.