The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

  • MASSOB/IPOB alleges plans to kill Kanu

    MASSOB/IPOB alleges plans to kill Kanu

    Members of two pro-Biafra groups; Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (‎MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has raised alarm over the safety of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu at the Medium Prison, Abuja

    The State Coordinator of MASSOB in Abia State, Comrade Anayochukwu Okpara in a telephone interview on Tuesday told our correspondent in Aba the incident at the Kuje ‎Medium Prison was sponsored and alleged that it was a calculated attempt to eliminated Kanu by the powers that be in the country.

    Okpara warned that should anything happen to Kanu, MASSOB, IPOB and other pro-Biafra groups would be forced to abandon their peaceful disposition over the struggle for the emancipation of the Sovereign state of Biafra.

    He used the opportunity to condemn the persistent attacks and killings of “Biafrans” across the “Biafra territories”.

    According to him, “we condemn the invasion of our farm lands, the raping of our sisters and mothers, the killing of our innocent brothers and destruction of property by the so-called Fulani herd’s men. The recent attacks and killing of people in Enugu community is babaric and should be totally condemned.

    “We are giving the Hausa/Fulani herds men seven days to leave Biafra land because they have bitten more than they can chew and we cannot fold our arms and see this happen again”.

    Another member of IPOB who gave his name as Chukwuma corroborating ‎Okpara’s position lamented the long incarceration and slow pace of Kanu’s trial, stressing that it was an attempt to discourage Kanu followers.

    Chukwuma while urging members of IPOB to remain calm also expressed confidence that Kanu and other Biafta agitators would not be cowed into the plans of the federal government of Nigeria to quench the struggle of liberating the people of old Eastern Region from the hands of “bad leadership”.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ohaneze group renounces IPOB insists on national unity

    Ohaneze group renounces IPOB insists on national unity

    The youth wing of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural group on Monday renounced those calling for secession and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The student group said Nigeria’s peace and unity was non-negotiable, thus it is strongly behind unity of the country.

    President of the group, Comrade Anya Anya, during a briefing in Abuja, in solidary to President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign said the president has been working so hard to restore the country’s dignity and territorial integrity.

    He added that the president’s commitment to national unity was in alignment with the vision of the nationalists.

    Asked if the group was in support of the secession agitation of the IPOB President, Nnamdi Kanu, he said: “We believe in one Nigeria and a united Nigeria with sincerity of purposes.”

    However, he added that, “If Nnamdi Kanu as at today is facing issues as regards to Biafra or no Biafra, I want to sincerely tell you that some of his demands maybe something that Nigerians will also need to take care of because there are issues rising politically, or based on dividends of democracy that should be attended to as demanded by the people of south east.

    Speaking on the alleged arms scandal against the interior minister, Gen Abdulrahman Dambazzau, the group said the deliberate plan to destroy the image of the former military chief should be condemned.

    He said it is expected to conduct intensive preliminary investigations on such allegation, supported by genuine evidence rather than publicly engaging in hatchet jobs against Dambazzau’s personality.

    “We wish to remind all and sundry that General Dambazzau was a chief of army staff and not Minister of Defence nor national security adviser to any administration. Therefore, enemies of progress should stop roping him into any corruption charge.

    “Ohaneze Ndigbo students shall vehemently oppose any attempt to tarnish the hard earned image and integrity of this noble General who all his life is serving Nigeria as a first class security person…”

  • Biafra: Kanu ‘willing’ to negotiate with FG

    Biafra: Kanu ‘willing’ to negotiate with FG

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu on Friday disclosed that his group, IPOB, is willing to negotiate with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to end the agitation for self-governance.

    The IPOB leader made this known through his lawyers, led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Amoebi Nzelu, while reacting to the government’s decision on Thursday to release some members of the group who were arrested in February.

    According to his lawyers, Kanu said they were not opposed to talks with the government.

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  • Anambra Mayhem: IPOB, Military, Police clash over Biafra       

    Anambra Mayhem: IPOB, Military, Police clash over Biafra       

    The celebration of Biafran Day in memory of Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu turned sour Monday in Anambra, as the military, police, members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) clashed, killing over 30 persons and injuring many.

    It was equally gathered Monday that over 50 members of the Biafran group were arrested by the military and taking to their 302 cantonment in Onitsha.

    Following the mayhem, the commercial city of Onitsha especially Nkpor axis, was locked down with the security operatives taking over the roads.

    Commercial activities were paralyzed as a result, with vehicular movements stopped with burn fires all over the roads.

    Speaking with reporters Monday on the development, the public relations officer (PRO) of (IPOB), Emma Powerful, alleged that security operatives had killed over 30 members of the group, over 50 others arrested and taken to an unknown destination.

    Also, he alleged that many others were seriously injured in the mayhem, adding that the security operatives started arresting their members since 1.30 am when they began their peaceful demonstration.

    According to him, “they were moving around in their hilux vehicle with a native doctor, when we are celebrating Biafra without any form of weapon, does it mean that we have no right for our fundamental rights,” Emma asked.

    When the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state Ali Okechukwu was contacted yesterday at about11.55am, he said there was no room to discuss causality figures, adding that they were still busy trying to clear the roads for easy movement.

    However, an eye witness who spoke with The Nation Monday and a (MASSOB) member said about 32 persons were killed by the navy and military personnel.

    The casualties according to him were taken to one of the hospitals at Nkpor but they were rejected, while those killed were driven to the army barracks.

    For MASSOB and Campaign for Democracy (CD), the action of the security personnel was unfortunate knowing fully well that the group was a harmless one celebrating the declaration of Biafra on May 30th, 1967 in memory of late Ojukwu.

    The leader of MASSOB, Comrade Uchenna Madu, told reporters that federal government should look into the mayhem with a view to arresting the situation, adding that his group was not involved.

    However, he warned that if Ndigbo were pushed to the wall by security personnel that they would have no other option than to take to arms, which according to him would make Nigeria be in flames.

    Madu, further said that the federal government was negotiating with Boko-haram and Niger Delta militants while the security continued to fight the people without arms and they were keeping quite.

    He said he ordered his men to mark Ojukwu’s day by staying indoors and not march on the streets, adding that those in the streets were not (MASSOB) members rather (IPOB).

    Speaking with The Nation the (Ogirishi Ndigbo) spiritual leader, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, described the situation as unfortunate.

    He said when he was contacted by the group about the peaceful protest; he advised them to use his Rojenny stadium instead of the streets, adding that they told him that they had secured a place at Nkpor already to mark the Biafran day.

    However, he condemned the alleged killing of Ndigbo, adding that nobody had the right to kill people if it actually happened, but emphatically, said he was not aware of the killings.

    Furthermore, he said if there should be a form of protest, that the people should get permit from the security men, adding that he had earlier advised to maintain peace in such situation.

    The Nation gathered from one of the eye witnesses at Nkpor that the anger of the military was that one of its men was killed during the shootout.

    The national publicity secretary of campaign for democracy (CD) Dede-Uzor-Dede, told reporters Monday that the federal government should arrest those involved in the killings of the harmless youths with a view to bringing them to justice.

    This, according to him was in line with chapter 4; section 33 to 41 which centered on fundamental human rights and in line with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

    “There are freedom of association, movement among others, people’s rights of protest peacefully should be allowed, the sanctity of people’s rights is sacrosanct and total in its ramifications,” he said.

    CD therefore warned that the era of killing Ndigbo youth must stop by the security operatives.

  • MASSOB demands release of Kanu, others

    MASSOB demands release of Kanu, others

    The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has once again called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Ben Onwuka of Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM).

     

    Also, the movement demanded for immediate release of 23 other Biafran detainees languishing at Awka and Onitsha prisons since 2006.

     

    In a statement yesterday in Onitsha, the national Director of Information (MASSOB), Comrade Samuel Edeson, said the group’s leader, Uchenna Madu would soon attend International conference with seven other members in Western Europe where some of the issues would be discussed.

     

    He said the decisions were taken at MASSOB’s headquarters yesterday at Okwe, Okigwe during its emergency meeting.

     

    Furthermore, MASSOB said the continued detention of these Igbo agitators by the federal government, was the more the country suffered diplomatic damages.

     

    “MASSOB will continue to partner with (IPOB), lower Niger congress and Biafran groups in Diaspora for genuine agitation, we shall never relent despite arrests, detention, killings and persecution”

     

    The international conference according to (MASSOB), was on the rights of Indigenous People and self determination groups across the globe.

     

    “We demand for the unconditional release of our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, (IPOB leader and others) whose cases cannot be justified by the Nigeria government, their continued detention has exposed the bias of Nigeria judiciary” MASSOB said.

     

  • Kanu’s trial: MASSOB berates masking of witnesses

    Kanu’s trial: MASSOB berates masking of witnesses

    Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) faction led by Uchenna Madu has berated that masking of prosecution witnesses by the Department of Security Service (DSS) in the trial of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The group on Wednesday described the process as an act of cowardice on the part of the Federal Government and the DSS.

    In a statement, comrade Uchenna Madu stated that the insistence of the Federal Government through the DSS to hide the identity of their witnesses was not only an act of cowardice, but a sign of not being serious and unsteadiness.

    According to him, the prosecution was insisting on masked witnesses because they had no genuine witnesses as the ones they earlier had been exposed and it now behooves on the prosecution to use personnel of DSS who would appear with Igbo names as witnesses, to create the negative impression that Ndigbo are against Kanu.

    “Those the DSS contracted to come and give false witness against Kanu, on finding the truth, declined to come forward. To accomplish their evil plans, they have decided to use their personnel who would bear Igbo names to come and give witness against Kanu, to create the impression that he (Kanu) is not liked by Ndigbo and that is why they want to cover their faces in court and at the end, they will cover their faces in shame,” he said.

    The MASSOB leader said it was absurd for the DSS to allege that some pro Biafra agitators were plotting to invade the court and forcefully free the IPOB leader.

    He wondered how the DSS has suddenly become confused and described the reason that IPOB and MASSOB members would invade a courtroom located at the 3rd floor of the Federal High Court building and manned by heavily armed security operatives as frivolous. 

    He said that although the arrest and detention of Kanu have revived the consciousness of Biafra to a higher dimension and stated that the group absolute faith in God that Kanu would soon be set free at last.

    While calling on all pro-Biafra groups to rally round Kanu, Madu warned that the continued detention of Kanu will “bring more devastating diplomatic doom for Nigeria now and in the future.”

  • DSS drops charges against Kanu in lower court

    DSS drops charges against Kanu in lower court

    The Magistrate of Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, Shuaibu Usman, on Wednesday discharged the director of Radio Biafra and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on all counts of criminal conspiracy and ownership of an unlawful society filed against him by the Federal Government.

    The judge, who held that government has dropped the charges against Kanu, said, “The accused person is hereby discharged and the case struck out.”

    The federal government through its agent, the Department of State Services (DSS), opted to withdraw the case at the lower court and moved to higher court, which has jurisdiction to handle terrorism related cases.

    Usman was scheduled to deliver judgment on the DSS application on December 1, but put it off until Wednesday.

     

  • IPOB, insurgents’ activities unlawful, says Fed Govt

    IPOB, insurgents’ activities unlawful, says Fed Govt

    •’No serious govt ’ll fold its arms and allow this kind of security breach’

    The Federal Government talked tough yesterday on the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast and the Islamic fundamentalists in the North. It declared their activities as “illegal”.

    The government said it would keep the peace in the country, warning that it would no longer fold its arms to allow their unlawful activities to continue.

    In a statement by Minister of Interior Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, the government vowed to wield the big stick should the need arise.

    The IPOB has been behind the pro-Biafran agitation in the Southeast and the protests being staged to demand the release of the Director of Biafran Radio, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The Federal Government vowed to always protect the country’s territory and the citizens against any separatist group’s activities.

    Dambazzau said: “The Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy as encapsulated in Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, S.14(2) states that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

    “The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, respects and upholds the fundamental human rights of all citizens as enshrined in Chapter IV of the Constitution. Incorporated in these rights is the ‘freedom from fear’, which every citizen must enjoy.

    “It is within this purview that it becomes necessary to emphasise that the government will do everything within the law to ensure that the lives and properties of persons, groups or organisations are protected.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government will continue to protect citizens’ rights to assemble freely and associate with other persons without hindrance; protect the freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and protect the freedom of expression. However, every citizen is under obligation to recognise and respect the rights of his or her fellow citizens, especially on matters regarding public order, safety and security.

    “No serious government will fold its arms to allow security breach of the kind which threatens the peaceful coexistence and sovereignty of its society. It is therefore imperative to remind ourselves that as long as demonstrations or processions are peaceful and do not infringe on the fundamental rights of others, the government will as a matter of principle, direct security agencies to protect the individuals or groups involved in such demonstrations or processions.

    “Democracy has provided vehicles through which citizens can convey their grievances without resorting to violence, and in our particular case, there are state governments and their assemblies; representatives and senators of the National Assembly; and the judiciary. It is expected that persons with grievances take advantage of using these opportunities instead of resorting to violence.

    “Our experience at least with separatist groups (such as Biafra Movements) and religious extremists (such as Boko Haram) in the last few years, depicted individuals or groups taking laws into their own hands, situations that sometimes led to violent clashes with security agencies. It is important for us to be law-abiding, even while expressing our grievances”.

    The minister, however, urged the security agencies to protect the citizens and residence at this Yuletide season as a result of movement and increase in activities.

    “As a result of increased movements and activities during the end of year and the beginning of a new season, the Ministry of Interior has coordinated with all security agencies under its supervision, and other security agencies, to ensure that the safety and security of all law-abiding citizens are guaranteed in line with our constitutional responsibilities.

    “We are drawing the attention of all Nigerians, especially in this Yuletide season, the necessity to keep their eyes and ears open, and report suspicious activities or persons, especially in motor-parks, airports, mosques, churches, markets and all public places attracting people,” Dambazzau said.