Terrorists plan to attack churches, markets in S’east — IPOB raises alarm

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised the alarm of impending terrorist attacks on churches and markets in the South East by Fulani bandits disguised as Christians.

The group said that the information at the disposal of its Intelligence Unit, “the M. Branch,” has it that the Nigerian government was allegedly transferring bandits and terrorists as ostensible Christians into the Eastern region of Nigeria in readiness to replicate similar or deadlier terrorists’ act that was unleashed in Owo Catholic Church, Ogun state.

IPOB made this known in a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emna Powerful, and made available to journalists on Tuesday.

The statement partly reads: “We advise Christians and other religious leaders to sit up, be at alert and be security conscious as strange seeming worshippers of non-Igbo ethnicity would infiltrate their midst to commit havoc.

“They must be on the lookout for Fulani-looking persons that may come to join them in pretence as converted Christians, do not also be deceived into thinking that Fulanis don’t speak Igbo, dress like Igbo and behave like indigenes because they do. So many of them were born and brought up in Igbo-land and they know not just all nooks and crannies, they also understand all events and their seasons.

“These terrorists and bandits have flooded Biafraland especially the commercial cities like Aba, in Abia State, where Pastor Kumuyi had chosen for his aborted crusade.

“They parade themselves as having converted to Christianity and are being rejected by their Muslim families in the North, which for us is “tragedy waiting to happen”.

“They now attach Christian names to their names as religious tricks to have you accept them. Examples, Emmanuel Kabiru Sule,  Mathew Christian Shehu, John Lewis Katsina and others.”

While noting that the bandits use the strategy of telling pathetic stories that touch the heart of people of conscience like the Igbos, the group added: “Please don’t allow them; they are terrorists and bandits. Christians in Biafraland should know that they are the next target and they must take absolute security precautions as their plans are deadlier than can be imagined.

“Churches must introduce tighter and properly detailed security measures, Do not fall for this Fulani hoodwink, they’re in our midst now.

“Always return home early, recognize and note the people and things around you.

“All markets leaders are advised to beef up their securities because markets where our people stay and do business are another important target for Fulani bandits they have encircled everywhere but they will fail and nobody should entertain fear because IPOB/ESN are waiting for them. However be sure to take precautionary measures.

“Don’t be quick to point or direct a stranger to your Pastor and your reverend fathers or Rabbi or any other worker in your church. In the meantime, avoid night out and late night meetings and programmes. Dangers ahead are too enormous, be ready for what is to come. Biafrans, report suspected movements to IPOB office around you, we must bring them down, they will not succeed.

“We have been encountering some of them at nights and day, carrying Security jobs beyond your imagination. Everybody be watchful,” Powerful concluded.