What ESN Commander, Ikonso’s Death Will Do To Nigeria – Fani-Kayode Reveals

Killing of ESN Commander Ikonso has been condemned by Fani-Kayode.

CityNews Nigeria reports that a former Minister of Aviation in Nigeria, Femi Fani-Kayode, says the killing of the Commander of Eastern Security Network (ESN) identified as Ikonson Commander was a “mistake” that could cost the nation dearly.

This online news platform recalls that a tactical team of the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, and Department of State Services (DSS), in a joint operation early Saturday morning, stormed the operational headquarters of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the military wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Awomama, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, killing seven members of the group.

The Nigerian Army said Ikonso Commander, who was said to be the commander of the IPOB military, was among the seven killed during an exchange of gunfire between government forces and ESN fighters.

Reacting to the killing of ESN Commander Ikonso in a series of tweets on the micro-blogging site, Twitter, Fani-Kayode lamented that the killing of the ESN Commander Ikonso was comparable to that of Mohammed Yusuf, whose killing has been blamed for the Boko Haram insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions in Nigeria since 2009.

The former minister stressed that the killing of the ESN Commander Ikonso could radicalise the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a pro-Biafra group seeking secession from Nigeria.

Fani-Kayode lamented that the killing portends grave danger for Nigeria that is still battling with the Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency.

The former minister tweeted, “The biggest mistake that the Nigerian state has made since the killing of Mohammed Yusuf, the erstwhile leader of Boko Haram, is the killing of Ikonso the IPOB & ESN Commander a few days ago.

“This single act has radicalised IPOB & will have consequences. It is sad & unfortunate. We must pray for peace.”