Politicians plan to assassinate Atiku when he visits South-East: IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, says its intelligence has uncovered plans by some politicians to assassinate the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party Atiku Abubakar. 

In a statement by Emma Powerful, spokesman for the outlawed separatist group, the assassination is being plotted in the South-East to blackmail IPOB/ESN as well as the supporters of the labour party rooting for the presidency of their candidate Mr. Peter Obi. 

“This group is planning to assassinate Atiku Abubakar in the southeastern part of Nigeria and claim it is done by unknown gunmen, ESN/IPOB, or the Obidient group,” the statement said. 

The statement claimed that the plot will throw the nation into turmoil and will lead to retaliatory attacks on Igbos in all parts of the country. 

“Ndigbo will be massacred mercilessly, and their properties will be destroyed. Even the supporters of Peter Obi will not be spared in these areas.” The statement added. 

The statement further claimed that the plot will not only put the nation in unrest but will also thwart the upcoming 2023 elections. 

“Their plans are to turn other ethnic groups in Nigeria against Ndigbo and possibly thwart the proposed selection process called 2023 election,” the statement said.

The separatist group through the statement put out a warning to all Igbo and labour party supporters in the country. They also threatened to mention the names of the people behind the plot if they don’t desist from their plans. 

IPOB said “Ndigbo in Lagos and many major cities in Nigeria should be on alert. Plans to attack them have been perfected, and it may consume a lot of people, and many properties may be destroyed.”

“Our intelligence through the M-Branch is fighting tooth and nail to uncover their next move,” IPOB further claimed in the statement. “Many top politicians are involved in this agenda to cause a crisis in Nigeria.”

According to the PDP presidential campaign timetable, Mr Abubakar is billed to crisscross southeastern states such as Enugu and Abia this week for mass rallies.

Mr Abubakar has earlier stated that he will negotiate with IPOB on Biafra agitation if elected as president.