NAF Airstrikes: Indigenes Flee Anambra Community over Fear of Attack

*IPOB denies ownership of bombed camps

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Following airstrikes by Nigeria Air Force (NAF) on Osumoghu community in Nnewi South Local Government Area, residents of the community have begun toflee the area over fear of attacks.
NAF had Tuesday bombed camps of terrorists suspected to be members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and their armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Spokesperson of NAF, Edward Gabkwet in a press release said the strikes were able to hit the target, causing the terrorists to flee.
Gabkwet stated that the reason for the airstrikes was because there was intelligence report that the terrorists planned to conduct attacks in the localities.
Thus, yesterday, indigenes of Orsumoghu community in Anambra State started fleeing the community in droves, for fear that the terrorists might regroup and attack them.

A source said: “Our people are leaving the community now. There are rumours that the terrorists are regrouping, and there are likelihood that with anger, any one they find would be their target.
“Those people are heartless. They do not even know who their brother’s are. That is the main reason no one wants to take chances with them. I love here in Awka, but my people in the village have all left,” the source said.

Meanwhile, IPOB, has denied ownership of camps bombed by the NAF in Anambra and Imo.
IPOB, in a press release by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said NAF lied, insisting that the group did not own camps in the areas mentioned.
“We debunk the claims by the Nigerian Air Force of bombing IPOB’s ESN camps at Osumoghu in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State and Osuihiteukwa in Orsu LGA, Imo State. We are bold to say that ESN does not have camps in any of the bombed locations,” he said.

The group stated that the bombed camps were those of terrorists sponsored by leader of a splinter group, Simon Ekpa, based in Finland.
“The Nigeria Air Force should stop lying and blackmailing this peaceful IPOB with the so-called bombing of IPOB’s ESN camps.
“For public information, IPOB doesn’t operate camps in those locations. IPOB has offices in Biafra Land and in diaspora. We are not criminals nor terrorist otherwise civilised countries would not give us the freedom to gather in their countries.”