The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from the alleged abduction of two Chinese nationals in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The group, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said kidnapping for ransom was not part of its strategy.
It described an allegation that its members committed the act as the handiwork of detractors.
It urged the public, the Chinese government and the people of China to disregard such allegations, stressing that its members had always been peace-loving and hospitable.
“We want to make it abundantly clear to the public that IPOB and ESN (eastern Security Network) outfit have no hands in the said abduction.
“We are not into kidnapping or abduction for ransom. Such barbarity characteristic of bandits and terrorists is not part of our mandate. We are peaceful agitators for Biafra restoration.”
IPOB said efforts to link IPOB/ESN with violence and criminalities were the handiwork of “our detractors and enemies”.
“But they will continue to fail woefully because the world knows that we are not a terror group.”
