As the fate of 16 young men charged by the Imo State police command over their alleged terroirist activities, hangs in the balance at the court. The Imo State police in collaboration with various security agencies in its fight to combat terrorism, recently arrested several proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members alleged to be involved in terrorist activities in the country.
One Eze Ikechukwu Pamcrast is said to be in hiding since April 2024 for fear of being arrested on account of his alleged preferred orientation of having information of the whereabout of his elder brother who is a district leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Imo State.
It was revealed from security agencies that Eze Ikechukwu Pamcrast who hails from Amanasa Umuchu in Aguata Local Government, Anambra State is the younger brother to one Eze Okechukwu Daniel who has been declared wanted by security operatives in June 2022 for conspiracy and active involvement with the proscribed IPOB for recruiting and indoctrination of youths to join the illegal organization in carrying out terrorist activities in the community and its environs.
It was reported that, the Commissioner of Police in the state under the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IG) of the Federation, had warned that the command would not allow miscreants disguising as IPOB members to perpetuate terrorist activities in Imo State and the country in general.
A police source who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the said Daniel is one of IPOB’s District leader who has been recruiting, indoctrinating some youths of the community to join the proscribed organization to carry out terrorist activities. He noted that, security agents had on June 25, 2022 raided a meeting of IPOB members in Owerri were Daniel and some others escaped.
He added that, though Pamcrast who is the younger brother to Daniel has been investigated by security operatives and found not to be a member of IPOB, but he is still wanted by the police as he is believed to be among some IPOB financiers and also have useful information that will lead to the arrest of his elder brother Daniel and other leaders who are also at large. He said, Daniel and other district leaders set up a terrorist training camp and has continue to display Biafran flag and other insignia on Nigeria soil.
The source noted that, the Nigeria police would not allow IPOB members to display Biafran flag and other insignia, adding that Daniel and others have been declared wanted by the authorities, because IPOB has been proscribed and declared as a terrorist group by the Nigeria government.
It was said that, the security agencies got the information of Eze Okechukwu Daniel alleged terrorist activities in the community through intelligent report and the police force swung into action, raided the IPOB hideout in February 12, 2024 and arrested about 16 youths while Daniel and other district leaders of IPOB escape from camp to unknown destination.
A leader in the community, Chief Emeka Azubuike, who spoke to our correspondent noted that, the security agents has increased their manhunt for the arrest of Daniel and other members of his IPOB Group, while they are still looking for his younger brother Pamcrast who is not a member of IPOB, but he is alleged to be among some IPOB financiers.
According to him, the police are looking for Pamcrast as he is believe to have useful information that will lead to the arrest of his brother Daniel and other District leaders. Report shows that, Pamcrast is not a member of the IPOB, yet the security agents has continue to search for him making him to run away from his community.
Chief Azubuike noted that, Pamcrast continuous running away from his community is considered very critical to his continued existence, as he would be arrested if caught by the police and handed over to the Nigeria authority for persecution.
It was also revealed that, Pamcrast home in Asaba was raided on February 23, 2024. While he was still at work in Onitsha. A resident who do not want his name in print told newsmen that, Pamcrast wife was at home when security agents came and ransacked their home. The source noted that, the only reason she was not arrested was because she was nursing a baby, but the officer who led them told her to ask her husband to immediately report himself to the police Command in Asaba.
However, upon insisting to know what her husband’ crime was, the security agents told Pamcrast wife that, they have evidence that her husband was a supporter and financier of IPOB, and he has knowledge of Daniel’s whereabout. According to the source, Pamcrast’s wife told the officer that, her husband was not a member of IPOB, but they insisted that her husband should report to the police Command at Asaba and showed her evidence showing Pamcrast brother, Daniel at their home wearing IPOB gear.
It was revealed that, Pamcrast and his wife after the police raid to their home went into hiding at one Chigozie Ezenwegbu, Pamcrast friend’s house in Lagos. And they have remain in hinding since then.
It would be recall that, for sometime now, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement has gained traction in its demands for independence, and the Nigerian central government is not pleased.
President Buhari in the light of this put out a strong message that the integrity of the Nigerian nation is “not negotiable.”
The hand of the military has been equally strong. IPOB has been declared a terrorist group, and consecutive military raids have produced a number of deaths in recent months.
