“Structures built on sacrifice, discipline, and secrecy cannot be hijacked by ambition, propaganda, or imitation.” — Anyi Kings
Published On the Biafra post
May 5, 2026
The reason Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa allegedly failed in every attempt to hijack or destroy the Eastern Security Network (ESN) lies in one fundamental truth: ESN was never built around one man—it was built as an institutional security structure.
According to insiders within the movement, the foundation of ESN began as an initiative of members of the Directorate of State (DOS), who allegedly recruited and trained volunteers during the period Kanu was detained in Kuje Prison between 2016 and 2017. These volunteers initially operated quietly as a grassroots security force focused on monitoring criminal activities and alleged attacks by armed herdsmen across forests in the East.
After Kanu’s release, the same personnel were reportedly presented publicly as Biafran Security Services (BSS), during an event where they gave him a guard of honour. Though unarmed, that appearance triggered political controversy across Nigeria and, according to this account, sent the wrong signal about their original mission.
The Directorate of State allegedly recalled the men back to operational duty in the forests, where they continued volunteer security activities from Ebonyi State to Enugu State, Imo State, Anambra State, and other parts of the Southeast.
These same operatives, according to this narrative, were involved in Kanu’s evacuation during the military invasion of his father’s home in 2017. While Kanu remained outside public view for over a year, the DOS reportedly maintained the structure and command on the ground.
When Kanu resurfaced in 2019, a white paper for the formal launch of ESN was allegedly presented to him by the movement’s security leadership as a mark of respect to his position as leader. On December 12, 2020, ESN was officially announced.
However, supporters of this account insist that while Kanu may have publicly announced ESN, the operational blueprint and command structure remained with the Directorate of State and the field commanders—not with any individual personality.
This, they argue, is why every alleged attempt to hijack, replicate, or destroy ESN has failed.
Critics allege that when Simon Ekpa failed to gain influence over ESN, he attempted to build parallel structures, which supporters of the original network describe as imitations lacking legitimacy.
Similar allegations have also been directed at individuals linked to Kanu’s inner circle, with claims that splinter armed groups emerged as alternatives to the original ESN structure.
Supporters of the Directorate of State argue that these groups, despite using IPOB-related narratives, differ fundamentally in ideology, command structure, and operational objectives.
Whether these claims are accepted or disputed, one fact remains central to this perspective: ESN, as conceived by its original architects, was designed to outlive personalities, political ambition, and internal power struggles.
“Imitation may attract attention, but only the original can command loyalty, sacrifice, and endurance.” — Anyi Kings
May 5, 2026
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