Ebonyi State government has warned members of the public against further participation in the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement jointly signed by secretary to the state government, Kenneth Ugbala, and the state commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Kenneth Uhuo on Monday, the government advised parents and guardians not to allow their children and wards to engage in any unauthorised gatherings, as according to it, security agencies have been mobilised to deal with any individual or group found to be involved in any unlawful gathering in the state.
That dialogue with the Federal Government will address all resentment of the Igbo in the country, and that any individual or group that has any cogent reason to make any demand, should go through the South East Governors Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and other legitimate means within the country.
Residents of the state were warned to avoid associating with the group henceforth.
The statement said, “The attention of the general public is hereby drawn to a federal high court order, which proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) since September, 2017 and classified it as a terrorist organization in Nigeria.
“By that order, the IPOB has become an unlawful organization, and all its activities become criminal within the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011.
“Members of the public are therefore warned that any participation in the activities of the organisation, under whatever guise has become an offence punishable under various laws of the country. As a responsible government committed to maintaining law and order, the state government is not going to allow IPOB to endanger lives and property of their citizens, by organizing any form of activity in the state.
“Any individual or group that has any genuine reason to agitate should do so through the platforms of the South East Governors Forum, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and through other legitimate means within the Nigerian federation.
“The Ebonyi State government reiterates its belief that constructive engagement with the federal government shall gradually address all grievances of the Igbos in Nigeria.
“Traditional rulers and Town Union leaders should be vigilant, and not hesitate to report to security agencies every suspicious movements in their domains.”
Recall that members of the group under their religious group had a week ago organised protest in Abakaliki against the suspended proposed RUGA settlement for herdsmen, rape and other policies of Federal Government.
