IPOB Denies Kidnapping NYSC Members, Demands Probe

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied involvement in the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State, demanding an independent investigation into the incidents.

IPOB, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, condemned the abductions and accused Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma of attempting to implicate Biafra agitators in the incidents.

The group said it was dissociating itself from the abductions and what it described as a staged rescue of the corps members.

“Any attempt to link Biafra agitators to the kidnapping of innocent youth corps members is a calculated falsehood meant to demonise our movement,” the statement said.

IPOB alleged that the incidents in Imo State were being manipulated for political purposes. It claimed that the state’s security architecture was being exploited to create insecurity and blame the group.

The organisation also alleged that the abandonment of military checkpoints had created security gaps that armed groups could exploit to carry out attacks, abductions and ransom collection.

IPOB further alleged that some criminal elements were exploiting its position on election boycotts to commit crimes and attribute them to the movement.

The group maintained that it did not target civilians, students or NYSC members, describing its struggle as a peaceful campaign for self-determination through a referendum.

It called for an “immediate, open, and independent international investigation” into the abductions along the Onitsha-Owerri axis, including the financial trails of ransom payments.

IPOB also urged the public and international community to look beyond what it described as political manoeuvring surrounding the incidents.