TheCable

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it “knows nothing” about the death of Ahmed Gulak, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was killed in Imo state.

The group said in a statement that accusing it of murdering Gulak is akin to blaming it when “terrorists in security uniform commit various atrocities in South East.”

TheCable had reported how Gulak, a former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was killed on Sunday in Owerri, Imo state capital, while returning to Abuja

The police said six “armed bandits” ambushed his car at Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala LGA while he was on his way to the airport.

Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesman, dismissed allegations linking the outlawed group to Gulak’s death and asked the security agencies to investigate the incident.

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 group added that it is “only after the restoration of Biafra” and that “assassination of politicians is not part of our agenda.”

“We challenge Aso Rock to Institute an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the incident and expose those behind this gruesome murder of an innocent man,” it said.

IPOB has often been accused of carrying out violent attacks in the south-east since it launched the Eastern Security Network (ESN), its militant arm.

TheCable found out that killings in the region tripled after ESN was established — the group denies any wrongdoing.