IPOB separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, 4 others arrested in Finland - ITREALMS

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The troubled Finnish-Nigerian separatist and leader of the Auto-Pilot faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Simon Njoku Ekpa and four others, have been arrested in Finland on terrorism-related charges, reports ITREALMS.

A Finnish local media reported that Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

IPOB distributes flyers, posters declaring cancellation of sit-at-home - ITREALMS

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Saturday, began the distribution of flyers and posters across the South-East to notify residents of the cancellation of sit-at-home exercise in the region, reports ITREALMS.

The pro-Biafran group said the exercise is aimed at conveying Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s pronouncement cancelling Monday sit-at-home and to inform the people that sit-at-home is not only “dead,” but will also never again be invoked or deployed as a tool of civil disobedience in the group’s quest for self-determination.

IPOB expresses support for 2023 elections, berates PANPIEC - ITREALMS

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Thursday have expressed support for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, saying will not issue any sit-at-home order during the February poll.

The group then issued a warning to the Pan Nigeria President of Igbo Extraction Coalition (PANPIEC) to desist from linking IPOB with the enforcement of sit-at-home orders to blackmail IPOB and ESN.

FG demands Facebook ban on IPOB, check subversive YouTube channels - ITREALMS

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The Federal Government has demanded that Facebook ban the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), from using its platform, reports ITREALMS.

This is coming as FG seeks to collaborate with Google to curb the excesses of subversive YouTube channels which it claimed are used to spread hate and disinformation against the country.

Simon Ekpa 'wanted' in Finland – ITREALMS.

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The office of the Prosecutor General in Lintulahdenkuja4 Helsinki Finland have been served with court papers to apprehend, detain and prosecute the name Simon Ekpa Njoku, reports ITREALMS.

Ekpa, ITREALMS gathered from the warrant, is a non-registered member of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) who intentionally without authorization or approval by the Directorate of State of IPOB (DOS).

IPOB calls off one week sit-at-home - ITREALMS

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The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called off its week-long sit-at-home to pave the way for a peaceful gubernatorial election in Anambra State with immediate effect, reports ITREALMS.

Confirming this, the Media and Publicity Secretary for IPOB, Comrade Emma Powerful, in a press statement sighted by ITREALMS, the sit-at-home earlier declared to commence tomorrow, Friday, November 5, 2021 through November 10, has been called off immediately.

IPOB Sit-at-home order: Between emotion and reason - ITREALMS

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I made a conscious decision to switch off from everything concerning Nigeria and Ala-Igbo which explains why I had been posting pictures that should ordinarily be private.

Yesterday, I even had to watch the reality TV show, Big Brother Naija for the first time all in an attempt to shield myself from the toxicity that is associated with the Nigerian social media space especially on issues concerning Ala-Igbo and Biafra. 

Suspected Foul play: Prove Kanu is alive, IPOB tasks DSS - ITREALMS

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The inability to produce Mazi Nnamdi Kanu before an Abuja court on Monday has continued to generate tensions with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) suspecting he may have been killed, reports ITREALMS.

They also tasked the Department of Security Services (DSS) to proof otherwise.

IPOB: Lai Mohammed writes, begs international community

Commentary@ITRealms:

“If they fail to give us Biafra, Somalia will look like a paradise compared to what will happen to that ‘zoo’ (Nigeria).” These are the words of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the so-called Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

On September 20, the Federal Government of Nigeria proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organization. I, as minister of Information and Culture and the spokesman of the government, call on our international partners to do the same.

Whilst there is no internationally agreed definition of terrorism, many nations’ characterizations closely correlate. Basic to all of them is this: the calculated threat or use of violence to further a political, religious or ideological cause.

Back to Nnamdi Kanu: “I don’t want peaceful actualization (of Biafra)”; “We need guns and we need bullets”; “If they don’t (give us Biafra), they will die.” Public announcement like these puts IPOB’s designation beyond doubt in most jurisdictions: they are a terrorist organization, as ETA was in Spain, the Tamil Tigers was in Sri Lanka, and the PKK is in Turkey (all of whom are proscribed by the U.S. State Department).

But it is not for the sake of a label we level this appeal. Currently, streams of cash come from across the globe to swell the organization’s stockpile of weapons. Yet funding of terrorism is illegal in international law. Only with the group’s correct categorization will our international partners be able to halt the financing — and with it, IPOB’s future.

The threat posed by the organization may be low. IPOB commands little grass-root support in the South East (the region it calls Biafra). All South-East governors have collectively condemned IPOB’s calls for secession. And local traditional and religious leaders have weighed into the debate, restating that absolute integrity of Nigeria. Violence, much less terrorism, never solves grievance. And for that reason, the overwhelming majority of residents in the South-East reject IPOB. They know the ballot box offers the best mechanism for redress.

*Lai Mohammed, is Minister of Information, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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US denies considering IPOB a terrorist group

ITRealms:

The government of the United States has denied any consideration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group, reports ITRealms.

The Sunday Punch quoted the spokesman for the American Embassy in Nigeria, Russell Brooks, as saying on Friday that the U.S. Government does not have the notion IPOB is a terrorist group.

As said by Brooks, in an e-mail response to Sunday Punch “The United States Government is strongly committed to Nigeria’s unity.  Important political and economic issues affecting the Nigerian people, such as the allocation of resources, are worthwhile topics for respectful debate in a democracy.

“Within the context of unity, we encourage all Nigerians to support a de-escalation of tensions and peaceful resolution of grievances. The Indigenous People of Biafra is not a terrorist organisation under US law.”

Sunday Punch recollected that just “Last week, the Federal High Court in Abuja gave a judicial backing to the executive order of President Muhammadu Buhari, outlawing the group and its activities in the country.

“The court granted the order to proscribe the group on Wednesday. It declared that the activities of the group constituted acts of terrorism. The Federal Government also accused France and the United Kingdom of aiding IPOB activities.”

Meanwhile, France said they have no link with IPOB especially with regards to financing stronghold of the group.

ITRealms notes that IPOB is a registered organization in the United Kingdom.

                                                           

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SERG rejects labelling IPOB terror group

ITRealms:

The South East Revival Group (SERG) has said it was wrong for the Nigerian military to declare the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terror group in a bid to justify an unwarranted invasion of Nnamdi Kanu’s home, reports ITRealms.

While calling on the federal government to immediately withdraw troops from Igboland to allow the leaders to conclude their dialogue with the young people engaged in self-determination, the group condemned the leaders in the region for their hasty ban on the activities of the group at a time its efforts towards resolving the current security challenges in south eastern Nigeria were yielding fruits.

The SERG in a statement by its National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu urged the Nigerian government to be mindful of the danger inherent in retaining the deployed troops in the region as it has been misunderstood by the agitators, saying that the IPOB should be engaged in dialogue as the government did with the Arewa youths after their quit notice to Igbos in the north.

"For us, there is no alternative to dialogue. Proper communication and enlightenment remain important tools to ensuring harmony in the country at this time as every part of the country is feeling marginalised in one way or the other.

"We imagine what would have happened if troops were deployed to the north after the eviction notice to the Igbos in the 19 northern states despite call for their arrest by some citizens. 

“But the Nigerian government gave the leaders in the region the opportunity to exhaust all possible dialogue windows for the resolution of the issue, even at a time the Arewa youths adamantly insisted that the Igbos in the north must go.

“Why the hasty deployment troops in South East and invasion of Nnamdi Kanu’s home town, under the guise of a military training exercise, at a time dialogue with the youths and consultations were on-going?

"In the same way the Arewa youths were managed, the federal government should handle the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other similar groups in the South East to ensure that the government’s intensions were not misconstrued and the mounting tension in the region is dowsed.

“We recall that the peace efforts of the same South East leaders who now hastily banned the activities of IPOB amid dialogue led to the group recanting its directive to its members to disrupt Anambra State governorship election. 

"While commending the South East leaders for their earlier peace efforts but condemn the ban of IPOB’s activities without concluding its dialogue with them, we call on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to listen to the voice of restructuring to mitigate the current youth restiveness in the country.

“The only alternative to restructuring is an imminent dismemberment of Nigeria, a sad event that must be avoided by all of Nigerians at any cost.

"Paramount to peace in the South East is the immediate withdrawal of federal troops in the region as the Egwu Eke II exercise is obviously truncating the current peace efforts by the leaders who have been pressured to ban the group.

“The allegations of wanton killing of unarmed south easterners and the images on the social media are very worrisome and the military must be reminded that after their operations, they could be held to account for their deeds if they engage in extrajudicial killings in the region or elsewhere in the country.

“Therefore, the Mohammed Yusuf experience which led to escalation of Boko Haram onslaught of federal troops, establishments and innocent Nigerians must not be replayed in the South East.

“We strongly believe that it is not within the Nigerian military’s constitutional powers to declare any organization a terror group", the SERG stated.

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Terror group: Saraki bemoans IPOB classification

ITRealms:

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has bemoaned the recent proclamation proscribing the Indigenous People of Biafra otherwise known as IPOB by the Governors of the South-east states and its classification as a ‘terrorist’ organisation by the Defence Headquarters are both unconstitutional, which lack due process, reports ITRealms.

Saraki gave this position in a press statement personally endorsed on Monday and made available to ITRealms, saying that there is clear position of the law in taking such a position and without due process being followed, it has no effect.

“I am sure the President will do the needful by initiating the right process. This will go a long way in demonstrating to the world at large that we are a country that operates by laid down process under every circumstance. So, those who have been hammering on this point should maintain their cool,” he said.

The National Assembly, he said, would investigate the crisis that erupted in the South-East leading to the clash between the military and IPOB members, urging all Nigerians to maintain peace and show brotherly love.

Part of the statement reads:

“Following the clash between the military and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), I hereby call for calm and restraint by all Nigerians so that we would all jointly find the right solution to the current problem rather than worsening the crisis”

“Our brothers and sisters in the South-east, in particular, should continue to maintain peace and tranquility and go about their lawful business. This crisis will not benefit anybody but would only expose innocent people to unwarranted danger.”

“At this point, Nigerians outside the South-east who have worked to ensure that the crisis does not spread to other parts of the country deserve our commendation. I therefore call for continued efforts to sustain peace, unity and stability in all our communities so as to ensure that all residents, no matter their religion, tribe and creed remain protected and safe under the law.”

“It is also important that commentators and purveyors of information on all media platforms should be conscious of the need, at all times, to maintain the unity of the country. Therefore, they must refrain from circulating information that has the potential for aggravating the crisis. We should all realize, as individuals and as a collective, that Nigeria is all we have and it is in our individual and collective interests that we do not stoke the fire of crisis and fan the ember of discord through the message we are spreading. We must all protect and strengthen our country rather than contributing to her collapse and disintegration.”

“I also wish to state that the announcement of the proscription of the group known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by Governors of the South-east states and the categorization of the group as a ‘terrorist organisation’ by the Nigerian military are unconstitutional and does not follow due process. Our laws make clear provisions for taking such actions and without the due process being followed, such declaration cannot have effect. I am sure the President will do the needful by initiating the right process. This will go a long way in demonstrating to the world at large that we are a country that operate by laid down process under every circumstance. So, those who have been hammering on this point should maintain their cool.”

“We must commend the military for their efforts in restoring peace to different parts of the country and sustaining the unity of the country. However, in the face of provocation, the military should allow themselves to be guided by their training which emphasizes respect for human rights, even in war. Also, giving the nature of this particular situation, the military has every reason to be hesitant in the use of force.”

“Also, it is my view that we should not over-stretch the military. We need to protect our military against dissipation of their fighting strength. And this means we need to strengthen the police and equip them with the capacity to deal with civil crisis. That is why we, in the aNational Assembly, are already reviewing the Police Act and also looking at the possibility of enabling other para-military agencies to help in curbing civil unrest and maintenance of law and order.”

“I want to also make it clear that the National Assembly intends to embark on a fact-finding investigation aimed at determining what actually happened during the period of the military exercise in the South-east. We want to be able to sift the facts from the fiction and determine who did what. It is quite clear that all the facts are not yet known. We assure Nigerians that there will be no cover up. We intend to lay the facts bare.”

“On a long term, we want to remind Nigerians that the reason for embarking on constitution review by the National Assembly was to enable us look into issues that are agitating the minds of Nigerians and creating tension among us. We have promised that the exercise would be continuous. We intend to keep that promise by further taking decisions that would strengthen and improve on our structures. The Eighth National Assembly, on resumption, will play its constitutional role by addressing all those issues that are agitating the minds of our people and over which they feel so strong. I appeal to all our people to always direct their grievances to the right channels.”

“Let me further reiterate the need for all leaders of thought -political. religious and traditional- to continue to engage with our people on the need to maintain peace and be our brothers’ keepers.”

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Why we prescribed IPOB – South-East Govs

ITRealms:

Rising from a one-day meeting in Enugu, capital of Enugu State, the South-East Governors have explained why they prescribed the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), attributing their decision on prevailing security situation in the region, reports ITRealms.

The governors in a communique made available to ITRealms and endorsed by the Enugu State governor, who doubles as the chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, Engr. Nweze Dave Umahi, noted that the attendant consequences have literally forced them to resolve as such, to save lives and for peace to return to the good people of South East.

The governors in a 11-point communique, advised IPOB and all other aggrieved groups to articulate their position on all national issues and submit to the Committee of Governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly Members from the South East Zone, through the Chairman, South East Governors Forum.

Also, he said, all governors of South East Zone are to ensure compliance in their respective State, stressing that South East Governors Forum, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly Members do hereby reinforce their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.

“We also reinforce our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all National issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian,” the governors said, reiterate earlier position that the November 18, 2017 Governorship election in Anambra State must hold.

They equally appealed to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, “to please, withdraw the Military in the South East Zone, while Police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order.”

The South East Governors, he said, have taken concrete steps to protect lives and property of indigenes and non-indigenes in the South East.

“We’re in touch with the Northern Governors Forum, they have assured us of the safety of all our people living in the north and we have also planned for exchange of visits between the Governors and to re-enforce the confidence of Nigerians in this respect,” they assured.

The governors emphasised that in keeping with earlier position, they wish reiterated that full investigation is ongoing on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the South East Zone within this period.

“The Governors and the Security agencies are in agreement that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found culpable,” the governors said.

Just as they advised all residents of the South East to go about their normal businesses as government of each State is committed to protecting everybody, as well as urging people in the South East to “please be law abiding.”

Nweke Ozo Nweke/GEE

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Pix: South East governors

Buhari’s directive against IPOB a hate order - SERG

ITRealms:

The South East Revival Group (SERG) has described as hate order, the marching directiver by President Muhammadu Buhari to service chiefs to crush the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), reports ITRealms.

In its reaction to the directive, the group in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu strongly condemned the order, saying it was part of plans for ethnic cleansing in Igbo land.

The reaction came at the Weekend after an emergency meeting by the central executive of the socio-political organisation in Enugu.

The statement added that "it is worrisome that a non-violent body like the IPOB should be included in an order to crush violent groups and criminal gangs.

"For us in the SERG, this directive is clearly a hate order, targeted against the people of South East and part of a plot to begin ethnic cleansing in Igbo land.

"Rather than support the on-going effort of South East Governor's Forum to address the development challenges in the zone, the President Buhari administration has again openly displayed its hatred to the people of the zone.

"Unarmed Igbo people of the South East have been killed, many more injured under the president government for holding an opinion. That is war against humanity.

"We call on the federal government to urgently address the development deficit in the South East region, which is the reason for the renewed agitation in the region.

"The South East is the only zone in Nigeria with the five states and the only part of the country with little or no federal presence.

"We also urge the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to order the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to begin massive rehabilitation of federal roads across the South East zone.

"We believe that it’s time to end the shedding of innocent blood and sowing of seeds that fan the embers of disunity to preserve the country as one indivisible entity", the group stated. 

Ozo Nweke Ozo/GEE

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Anambra Nov. 18 election: IPOB insists on lockdown

ITRealms:

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has insisted to lockdown Anambra State on November 18 to ensure that Ndi Anambra do not participate actively in the forthcoming governorship election, reports ITRealms.

This is coming as a group of Anambra Progressives have warned IPOB to stay away from the state and its territory, noting that what is required at this moment is restructuring of the entire country to enthrone good governance for all and in alignment with the last wishes of the Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the former Biafran leader.

Also, this is on the wake of a video making a round that IPOB members were never directed to be killed by Gov. Willie Obiano.

However, IPOD Media in a press statement twist made available to ITRealms maintained that Anambra would be locked down on 18th November, claiming that their leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has not endorsed Obiano's second term.

“We don't believe in verbal fight with any individual or group but waiting for the appointed day for action. IPOB under Nnamdi Kanu cannot participate in any other Nigeria elections throughout Biafraland not only Anambra State,” said Comrade Emma who claimed to be IPOB spokesman.

According to him, “It is dangerous and appalling on the side of Obiano, but the spirit of those massacred in cold blood in Nkpor will continue to haunt anybody who did not condemn the barbaric acts.”

Comrade Emma said on Anambra election, that IPOB realized that Governor Obiano's internet bloggers and those he described as e-Rats, are twisting what Mazi Kanu said during his visit to Eze Eri kingdom, and precisely about the killing of IPOB members at Nkpor on 29th and 30th of May 2016, during the remembrance of heroes and heroines who were massacred between 1967 and 1970.

Further, IPOB alleged that Arewa elders had mandated the so-called Igbo elders and some politicians to disown Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB openly for selfish aggrandizement, insisting they cannot intimidate IPOB under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu leadership.

Ozo Nweke Ozo/GEE

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IPOB calls for ‘Biafrexit’ vote, urges Britain support

ITRealms:

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for the ‘BIAFRAEXIT VOTE’ from Nigeria and invited the British government to support this call in line with the recent Brexit, asserting that the time has come for BIAFREXIT and Britain must support it, reports ITRealms.

In a press statement, endorsed by both spokespersons of IPOB, Barrister Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya, and made available to ITRealms, the group urged the British Government which is allegedly the closest ally of the Nigerian Government must, as a mark of exemplary leadership, guide President Muhammadu Buhari and his colleagues to organize a BIAFREXIT akin to the recently organized BREXIT.

While commending the government and people of Britain for organizing the BREXIT vote and applauding the British Government for respecting the wishes of her citizens, IPOB, however, said it smacks of hypocrisy that the same David Cameron that initiated the BREXIT vote has been propping up the Buhari‘s government in their murderous acts of suppressing the quest by Biafrans to exit from Nigeria.

“This leaves Biafrans to ask if David Cameron’s hypocrisy is because Biafrans are blacks and if black Africans are inferior to white British people,” IPOB asked.

The group went on to ask why David Cameron thinks that what is good for the white British people is not good for the black people of Africa, especially Biafrans, stressing that Mr. David Cameron, in organizing BREXIT is taking advantage of the rights of people to make their choice.

“But in denying Biafrans the right to choose their own nation, David Cameron is telling Biafrans that they are inferior because of the colour of their skin. David Cameron is directly telling Biafrans that because they come from an inferior race, they do not deserve to exist as a nation of their own choice,” IPOB alleged.

According to the spoke-persons, there are indications that Scotland will restart their agitation for separation from Britain and both David Cameron and his would-be successor will not stop them nor will they roll out tanks and other lethal weapons to mow down the Scots like the British-supported Nigeria has been doing to Biafrans.

“We have to re-emphasize here that self-determination is a right that must be exercised by all free people. Even Donald Trump, the presidential candidate of the Republican Party in the USA tweeted on the 24th of June, 2016 that 'Self-determination is the sacred right of all free peoples,'” the duo spokespersons said.

By blocking the self-determination efforts of Biafrans through overt and covert supports to the killer leadership in Nigeria, IPOB said, David Cameron is telling the world that Biafrans are still in slavery despite the abolition of slavery in 1833.

IPOB have also observed with keen interest the consistent British Government’s official policy of not supporting any Christian nation that needs support for independence or that is going through any form of internal or external aggression.

“On the other hand, the British Government has always supported a Muslim nation against a Christian nation in any conflict just as they supported the Muslim-dominated Nigeria to carry out genocide against a Christian Biafran nation between 1967 and 1970. While IPOB is not against the religious inclinations of any nation, we do note with concern the British Government’s penchant for supporting Muslim nation against a Christian nation,” IPOB said.

Also, IPOB noted that the faulty argument by David Cameron and the British Government that they do not want to alter the pre-independence territorial integrity of Nigeria; pointing out that the same territorial integrity of Nigeria was tampered with by the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun.

IPOB further recalled that in 1982 Britain went to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands but this same Britain never supported Nigeria to prevent the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun and this distortion of the pre-independence territorial integrity of Nigeria is the same excuse used by Britain to continue to keep Biafra under Nigeria.

The group emphasized that from the success of BREXIT, IPOB calls upon the incoming Prime Minister to work with Buhari to speedily organize BIAFREXIT, besides warning the incoming Prime Minister on the failure to probe the criminality of Buhari against the Biafrans which if not carried out, will make Britain culpable in the re-enacted 21st century Biafran genocide.

“It is unfair and hypocritical that the British Government will allow free expression of the wishes of her citizens while on the other hand supporting Buhari in his brutal mass-murder of Biafrans who are exercising their God-given freedom to determine their nationality. We believe that the days of slavery are gone and the black race should not be treated as an inferior and expendable race,” IPOB said, insisting “The time has come for BIAFREXIT and Britain must support it.”

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IPOB condemns Onitsha killings

ITRealms:

The Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the recent killings of some Biafrans who were on peaceful protest for the Independence of Biafra in Onitsha, reports ITRealms.

In a petition to the Federal Government of Nigeria, IPOB in a press statement made available to ITRealms endorsed by the Secretary-General, Brig Gen Joe Achuzia (rtd) and Public Relations Officer, Eze Iheanyi Nwokenna, said protesters were killed and massacred by the agents of the Nigerian Government, the Defendants in the on-going case in Suit No FHC/OW/CS/192/2013 between Biafra and Nigeria in the Federal High Court Owerri.

IPOB quoted an eye-witness who survived the massacre who testified as follows: “As we were walking towards the bridge, giving people our flyers, we heard gunshots and people started falling down. That was when I realised they were shooting at us. Many of us ran for our lives, and when the sound of the gunshots subsided, we went back to help those that sustained serious bullet wounds. Three of our comrades were confirmed dead on the spot and over thirty people sustained serious wounds. This morning I woke up to hear that four more have died in the hospital”. 

IPOB, therefore, strongly condemned the gruesome murder of the unarmed children of Biafra by the Nigerian Government.

“We are surprised that the Defendants could exhibit such barbaric and despicable act of human rights violation against the children of the Claimants. We have noted that the children were misguided by the operators of the pirate Radio Biafra into protesting on the street for secession of Biafra without the approval of the Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra instead of following the due process of law for self-determination going on in the Federal High Court Owerri,” they group said.

They also asserted strongly, that the Defendants had no right to take the laws into their hands and kill the children of the Claimants even if misguided by the Director of Radio Biafra whom we have ostracised from the Biafra Independence Movement.

“As the Governing Council constituting the Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), we now put the Defendants on NOTICE that we hold them responsible for the murder and or the extrajudicial killing of our children and shall in due course commence proceedings in the appropriate Court against the Nigerian Government for redress,” IPOB said.

Recalling that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are in Court with Nigeria in a representative capacity by the agency of a human rights organization called Bilie Human Rights Initiative seeking to exercise their rights to self-determination as guaranteed by law. 

As said by IPOB, the law protects them to seek for independence by the rule of law based on both the Nigerian law and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007.They insisted that the legal right to self-determination is different from the call for secession by violence being preached by the operators of Radio Biafra. 

The Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra is His Royal Majesty, His Lordship, the Honourable Justice Eze Ozobu OFR, while the Deputy Leader is Dr Dozie Ikedife OON, JP, both of whom were Past Presidents of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

 
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Pix: Courtesy: Odogwublog.com