Distinguish Between IPOB Members And Criminal Gangs Claiming To Be Biafran Agitators – IPOB Lawyer Ejiofor Tells Security Agencies
By Passman Akpos
This is as residents await official confirmation of the rumoured death of Gentle De Yahoo, a notorious commander of the unknown gunmen criminal network that has for years unleashed violence, killings and kidnappings in the region.
As communities across the South-East region of Nigeria are gripped by fear and uncertainty, human rights lawyer and counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has said security agencies must differentiate between IPOB members and criminal gangs impersonating the moment.
This is as residents await official confirmation of the rumoured death of Gentle De Yahoo, a notorious commander of the unknown gunmen criminal network that has for years unleashed violence, killings and kidnappings in the region.
Despite reports suggesting that the gang leader may have been killed during recent security operations in his house, many locals remain cautious.
Even if his death is eventually confirmed to be true, people across the region fear that open celebration is unlikely, as fear of reprisal attacks continues to silence voices across the region.
SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday, September 16, that the Nigerian Army confirmed that troops of the 34 Brigade, operating under the 82 Division in Owerri, Imo State, carried out a commando-style raid on Gentle De Yahoo’s residence in Aku, Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
Reports had circulated on social media and across news platforms that the troops captured Gentle De Yahoo.
However, when SaharaReporters requested details of the incident, the Nigerian Army said that while troops raided Gentle’s house and killed his second-in-command (two IC), two female and two male fighters, the military has yet to confirm if Gentle himself was among those killed during the operation.
The Army said the troops recovered the corpses of two female and two male fighters, but could not yet confirm if one of the male fighters killed was the dreaded Gentle De Yahoo or not.
Reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, human rights lawyer and counsel to the IPOB, Ejiofor said that the demise of Gentle De Yahoo, whom he labelled the head of a “horror empire” and “merchants of death” could be a possible turning point for the South-East, but warned that fear still overshadows any hope of relief.
“What still hangs heavily on the lips of every concerned Nwafo Igbo (South-East residents) is the endless wait for confirmation that the leader of these monsters; the merchants of death who have desecrated Ala-Igbo (South-East) is truly no more,” Ejiofor stated.
“Yet, even if the final confirmation eventually comes in the affirmative, not many will openly celebrate this unprecedented relief. “Why? Because fear still reigns supreme. The fear is real, the silence is palpable, and the sword of terror continues to dangle menacingly over our land.”
Ejiofor urged the people of the South-East to draw courage from remarks by former Kogi State lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, who he quoted as saying, “If you speak the truth, you will die; if you lie, you will still die.”
According to Ejiofor, this courage to “speak the truth and damn the consequences” is what the people of the South-East desperately need to break the cycle of silence and fear.
“When weighed against our present reality, one truth becomes evident: fear has become the silent anthem of the average Igbo man/Biafran; whether at home or in the diaspora,” Ejiofor said.
“This silence is not born of ignorance, but of dread. Fear of the unknown. Fear of reprisals. Fear of betrayal.
“Even those in political circles dare not utter a word, for many are complicit; by association, by connivance, or by their silent romance with the evil forces tearing our homeland apart.”
The lawyer accused Gentle De Yahoo’s criminal gang network, allegedly created by now imprisoned Finland-based Biafran Nation agitator, Simon Ekpa, of masquerading as Biafra agitators while unleashing violence, particularly in Imo State.
Ejiofor argued that the activities of the so-called “Biafra Liberation Army” (BLA) and other gangs have been manipulated to smear the name of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which continues to deny links to the killings.
He said, “A glance back at my earlier writings reveals a disturbing pattern: the bloody activities of the Simon Ekpa-led killer gang appear to have been procured, wittingly or unwittingly, by political contrivance.
“Their mission has been clear; to malign, demonise, and smear the noble image of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) before the world.
“Otherwise, how do we explain the curious phenomenon that whenever any of Simon Ekpa’s foot soldiers is apprehended, his default confession is: “I am a member of IPOB, fighting for the liberation of Biafrans.”
The lawyer further stated, “From the very beginning, I have called these outlaws by their true name: criminals, not agitators; killers, not freedom fighters.
“I have consistently exposed Simon Ekpa’s killer squad as nothing more than tools of destruction masquerading as liberators.
“Security agencies operating in Imo State and its environs know the truth. They know those recruiting vulnerable youths, destroying communities, and turning Imo into a blood-soaked theatre are not Biafra agitators. They are criminal gangs, plain and simple.”
He also noted that some political interests had, “wittingly or unwittingly,” procured or enabled Ekpa’s criminal gang to discredit IPOB.
Ejiofor condemned what he described as a “poisonous narrative” that blames IPOB for every violent incident in the South-East without evidence.
“Whenever any of Simon Ekpa’s foot soldiers is apprehended, his default confession is: ‘I am a member of IPOB, fighting for the liberation of Biafrans.’
“Immediately, IPOB’s leadership would issue statements dissociating the movement from these blood merchants. Yet the killings persist,” he lamented.
While welcoming recent military and police operations in Imo State, Ejiofor urged security agencies to remain resolute and to distinguish between IPOB’s non-violent global movement and Ekpa’s criminal gangs.
“This is not merely a campaign against criminals; it is a war for the survival of our homeland,” he said. “History will record the difference.”
He further cautioned against the misuse of religion, stressing that “invoking the holy name of Chukwu Okike Abiama does not make one a freedom fighter.”
Ejiofor insisted that truth would ultimately prevail, even as communities await definitive confirmation of Gentle De Yahoo’s rumoured death.
“Until the most gracious news of recent times finally resounds across our land, I shall continue to celebrate in advance, for truth, no matter how delayed, will always triumph over falsehood,” he stated.
