Ohanaeze Ndigbo General and the Youth wing have declared support for the just-launched internal safety group, Eastern Security Network (ESN) by the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

This was disclosed on Tuesday in a press statement signed and made available to SCANNEWS24 through Chukwuemeka Chimerue, the group’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the National President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC).

He remarked while issuing a disclaimer concerning publication making rounds on media that the group is against the establishment of ESN.

Debunking the misleading report, Igboayaka warned Igbo at large and the general public that the news with his picture ‘OYC distance itself from the launching of the Eastern Security Network by IPOB’, as circulated, did not officially or unofficially, emanate from their office.

In his words, partly “We wish to state categorically that at no point in time did we issue any official or unofficial press statement relating to the issue of Eastern Security Network and we would like it to remain that way”.

The statement maintained OYC would use a notable platform if truly the acclaimed information was issued by them, urging the public to disregard the report.

He warned to always do away with related publications without authorization of the OYC president youth leader and does not portray intention or imprimatur as it may come mischief-makers.

He, however, assured that Ohanaeze Youth would support any security measure in Igboland gears towards protecting life and property.

“We, therefore, wish to inform the general public and Ndigbo at large that Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) under the leadership of Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka support every security measure in Igbo land to protect our life and property.

“We have directed our legal team to get in touch with legit.com online media and sue them for defamation of character and organization”.

Similarly, the apex body, Ohanaeze General has also thrown their support for ESN based on the condition the avenue created will not be used to victimize other regions.

The outgoing President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia John Nwodo communicated through his spokesperson Emeka Attama via a telephone conversation with British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC on 12 December 2020.

Nwodo noted that the safety plan was important to help restore hope and security in the region.

He told BBC: “We will support the plan as long as it is not used against others, especially non-Igbo people,” he said.

He, however, regretted that the Igbo most cultural group were saddened IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu did not pre-inform them before embarking on setting up the internal security outfit.