The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reacted to the claims linking its military wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), to the assassination of a former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, saying the group has no hand in the attack.
The New Diplomat had reported that Gulak who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was killed in Imo state, in the early hours of Sunday.
According to reports, the Nigeria intelligence community allegedly linked the assassination to the proscribed IPOB.
However, the group in a statement issued by its spokesman, Emma Powerful denied any involvement in the murder of Gulak, saying they “had nothing in common with him(Gulak) and could not have in any way killed him.”
Refuting the viral claims, Powerful in the statement warned against linking the group to the criminal activities in the Southeast, alleging that it is the men in “security uniform that commit various atrocities in South East and turn around to blame IPOB for their crimes just to tarnish our global reputation.”
His statement read: “The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the untenable allegation by the security agencies that IPOB was responsible for the assassination of former presidential aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak on his way to Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri Imo State.
“We, therefore, state without equivocations that IPOB knows nothing about the said assassination. In the first place, what threat did the late Gulak constitute to our cause to warrant his elimination? We had nothing in common with him and could not have in any way killed him.
“Pointing accusing fingers at IPOB for this barbaric act is only meant to divert attention away from the real masterminds. This is the same way terrorists in security uniform commit various atrocities in South East and turn around to blame IPOB for their crimes just to tarnish our global reputation.
“Instead of the security agencies to properly investigate the incident and possible factors, they switched to accuse IPOB of a crime we know nothing about. Did IPOB have the itinerary of the late Gulak to have waylaid him at the airport?
“Before linking IPOB with the crime the jaundiced zoo security agencies should have first investigated Gulak’s host, Hope Uzodima, as well as his political opponents to establish their possible involvement,” the statement added.
The New Diplomat had also reported that the Imo State Police Command has confirmed the death of Gulak, revealing that he was assassinated by “six armed bandits” in Owerri, Imo State capital on Sunday.
The police disclosed that six “armed bandits” ambushed Gulak’s car at Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala LGA while he was on his way to the airport.
