The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

  • IPOB: South East governors wade into agitations, initiate dialogue to end crisis

    IPOB: South East governors wade into agitations, initiate dialogue to end crisis

    The South East Governors’ Forum says it will engage the leadership of Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB) to find solutions to its agitations.

    The Chairman of the forum, Gov. Dave Umahi disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting between members of the forum and iPOB leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu.

    Umahi, who is the governor of Ebonyi said that the meeting deliberated on the demands of the group and had noted their concerns.

    “However, the meeting agreed that the demands by IPOB should not be absolute, rather, the governors shall immediately engage the IPOB to further meetings,” he said.

    The governor said that the meeting, which would also have in attendance other notable leaders of the group, would be aimed at quickening the resolution of all issues amicably.

    “We, therefore, request from all concerned to give the governors opportunity to amicably sort out the problems,” Umahi said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that others in attendance during the meeting were Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Anambra Deputy Governor, Chief Nkem Okeke.

    Others were Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN) and Mr Elliot Uko, leader of Igbo Youth Movement.

  • Southeast governors meet with IPOB leader, others

    Southeast governors meet with IPOB leader, others

    Southeast governors met Wednesday  with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu’s with a view to finding lasting solution to the issue of the demand for the Actualisation of Biafra.

    Also in attendance at the meeting were elder statesman, Prof Ben Nwabueze and Igbo Youths Movement leader, Evangelist Elliot Uko.

    Chairman of the South East governors’ forum, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state who read a terse communique said the meeting “agreed that these demands by IPOB should not be absolute”.

    He said, rather, the governors shall immediately engage the leader of IPOB and the entire leadership of IPOB to further meetings and dialogue with a view to quickening the resolutions of all issues amicably.

    Only two of the governors, Umahi of Ebonyi state and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi were present while deputy governor Nkem Okeke represented the governor of Anambra state.

    Immediately after reading the communique, Nnamdi Kanu’s and his entourage left while the governors resumed sitting.

  • IPOB, non-violent, peaceful mass movement – Kanu

    IPOB, non-violent, peaceful mass movement – Kanu

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will never resort to armed conflict or rebellion, notwithstanding the killings, arrest and arbitrary detention of its members, says its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    Kanu said this in an interview with newsmen at his Afara-Ukwu, Umuahia country home, on Wednesday, while reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s national broadcast on Monday.

    He, however, said that the group had formed a security outfit, known as ‘Biafra Security Service’ to checkmate the activities of suspected herdsmen in the South-East.

    “IPOB is a peaceful mass movement.

    “It is non-violent and our people carry no arms; so, it is wrong for anybody to compare the group with a terrorist group such as Boko Haram.’’

    “There is no record of where people fought or engaged in open altercation in any of IPOB gatherings.

    “We are the most disciplined, well-behaved mass movement anywhere on the face of the planet.”

    He, therefore, implored Buhari to adopt a peaceful approach and dialogue rather than threat in dealing with separatist groups in the country.

    Kanu said it would be counter-productive for security agencies to apply the same measure used against Boko haram insurgents on IPOB.

    According to him, the plan to use brute force rather than dialogue to deal with Biafran agitators will not work.

    “In this debate for freedom, everybody has to be heard.’’

    He expressed dissatisfaction with the comparison of IPOB to Boko haram, which he described as an “internationally recognized terrorist organisation”.

    “It is well-known that IPOB has remained a peaceful, non-violent organisation since its formation,’’ Kanu said.

  • FG urges court to return Kanu to prison

    FG urges court to return Kanu to prison

    …Counters IPOB boss’ request for variation of bail condition

     

    The Federal Government has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to revoke the bail it granted leader of the pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and return him to prison.

    The government argued that Kanu has not only breached the conditions attached to the bail granted him on April 25 this year on health ground, he has allegedly conducted himself in manners that threaten public peace.

    It cited Kanu’s alleged threat that elections would not hold in South East states until the Fed Govt conduct referendum on whether or not Biafra should secede and instances where the IPOB leader addressed crowd exceeding 10 and threatened civil disobedience, as against the court’s directive that he must not be seen in a crowd of over 10 people.

    The government, in a counter-motion, dated August 1, 2017 filed by Magaji Labaran of the Federal Ministry of Justice, urged the court to dismiss an application by Kanu, seeking a review of the bail conditions.

    It noted that not only had Kanu met the bail conditions and was enjoying the bail, it was an affront to the court’s authority for the IPOB leader to approach the court for the review of the bail conditions, having allegedly breached the conditions.

    “The offence for which he (Kanu) is standing trial is not ordinarily bailable; the court, not withstanding, granted bail to the 1st defendant/applicant (Kanu) on health grounds on 25th April 2017.

    “Among other conditions for the bail of the 1st defendant is that he should not be seen in a crowd exceeding 10 people; that he should not grant any interviews, hold or attend any rallies; that he should file, in court, medical updates of his health status every month. The bail conditions were perfected by the 1stdefendant/applicant, which he is currently enjoying.

    “Rather than observing all the conditions listed above, the 1st defendant, in fragrant disobedience to the court order, flouted all conditions given by the court.

    “The 1st defendant equally incited his members to disrupt, disallow and boycott elections in South East states, starting with Anambra State gubernatorial election scheduled for November 18 if the Federal Government failed to hold referendum for the realisation of the state of Biafra.

    “The 1st defendant has already declared the bail conditions given by the court unconstitutional before approaching this court with the application for variation. Rather than showing remorse for his actions, the 1st defendant approached this court with an application for a review of the same conditions for the bail which he grossly flouted.

    “Considering the above, that the 1st applicant has violated the conditions on which the terms of his bail were premised, we urged this court to commit the defendant to prison by invoking the provision of Section 173(2)(B) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    “We categorically state that justice would have been denied the state by this court, if the state is not protected from the offences being perpetrated by the 1stdefendant/applicant, who is currently on bail,” the Fed Govt said.

    Kanu and four other suspected IPOB members – Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie – are being tried before the Federal High Court, Abuja on offences relating to conspiracy and treasonable felony.

     

  • Kanu deceiving Ndigbo – Okorocha 

    Kanu deceiving Ndigbo – Okorocha 

    …says Igbo will lose N3 trillion

     

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Monday warned that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is deceiving Ndigbo with the promise of the actualisation of Biafra.

    The Imo governor, said that any form of war now will cost the Igbo N3 trillion both in properties and assets.

    Okorocha who spoke while giving Staff of Office and Certificate of recognition to traditional rulers, lamented traditional rulers have kept mute while the cloud is gathering over activities of Biafra agitators.

    According to him, “on IPOB, the cloud is gathering, nobody is talking, even our traditional rulers, Pastors and leaders, this is bad for our people. If you will remember vividly that few years ago, during the Civil War, it was a similar story. That was how it all started. At that time, we believed that the Ohafia warriors will be able to fight and disseminate the North”.

    He continued “Now we are been deceived that IPOB will drive away Nigeria and give us Biafra. Even our Pastors, men of God and some leaders in the rural areas, nobody is speaking out against this action and the song of war is coming gradually like a desert encroachment. We fought the war and it was believed that the Igbos will learn from it but they still went ahead and developing the resources of other regions.

    “There are 5 million Igbo living outside the shores of Igbo region. Any form of war will cause the Igbos over 3 trillion naira loss in properties and assets. No sane person will spread the message of division and war because it does not benefit the Igbo in any way. I urge you traditional rulers to speak against it and educate your people on the true state of things. Igbo need to build bridge of unity across the nation”.

     

  • ljaw youths to  IPOB, MASSOB:  We are not part of Biafra,

    ljaw youths to  IPOB, MASSOB:  We are not part of Biafra,

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Monday, warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) to stay away from Ijaw territories.

    IYC said the pro-Biafra groups should desist from including Ijaw territories in their map of Biafra insisting that the Ijaw ethnic nationality had no time agreed to be part of any Biafra.

    The IYC in a statement signed by a spokesman, Daniel Dasimaka, said the Ijaw people had never been part of Biafra.

    The Ijaw group explained that the old Eastern region was a political miscalculation that enslaved the Ijaw people.

    Besides it said that the old Eastern region was formed by persons, who also designed “this miscarriage of a state called Nigeria”.

    It said that the Ijaw was not against genuine aspirations of all peoples and groups including the MASSOB and IPOB, to attain self-determination or secession.

    But the group insisted that persons agitating for secession should not drag the Ijaw ethnic nationality into their geographical expressions.

    IYC said: “Ijaws are a distinct ethnic nation even before the 1914 amalgamation that has its own dreams, wishes and aspirations that should not be submerged as footnotes in any other peoples’ struggles.

    “We Ijaw people are not Biafrans. Therefore, if or when any Ijaw person or group feel a sense of allegiance to Biafra and speak in its favour, let it be known that such statements are the personal opinions of such persons, which do not reflect the thoughts, views and wishes of the entire Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta people”.

    The IYC also warned members of IPOB against insulting respected Ijaw elders and leaders, particularly critical stakeholders like AnnKio Briggs.

    It said: “For the records, the Ijaw struggle for self-determination predates the Biafra agitation.

    “It is a known historical fact that a year before the world got to hear of the term Biafra Republic, Ijaws led by late Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro of blessed memory declared a Niger Delta Republic in pursuit of the emancipation of the Niger Delta people which the progenitor of Biafran, late  Col. Ojukwy  of blessed memory fought against as the then Governor of the old Eastern region when the going was good with him in the Nigerian State.

    “It is also on record that a year before MASSOB was founded; the IYC through the Kaiama Declaration affirmed ‘our commitment to joint struggle with the other ethnic nationalities in the Niger delta area for self-determination’.

    “We express our solidarity with all people’s organisations and ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and elsewhere who are struggling for self-determination and justice”.

     

  • Anambra Election: Panic as militants back Nnamdi Kanu on boycott 

    Anambra Election: Panic as militants back Nnamdi Kanu on boycott 

    Some  Niger Delta militant groups have declared their support for the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),  Nnamdi Kanu over his decision to boycott  the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State.

    The groups, Concerned Militant Leaders (CML), Niger Delta People Democratic Front (NDPDF) and Rainbow Marabas Squad (RMS) said they are unhappy over the May 30, 2016, when soldiers allegedly massacred harmless and innocent IPOB members.

    Leaders of the groups, General Ben (CML), General Playboy (NDPDF) and General Aneaja (RMS),  in a statement issued via online after their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,  demanded for justice for the victims of the May 30, 2016,  Biafra Day celebration killings.

    Convener of the meeting, General Ben, stated: “Federal Government should address the injustice meted out to innocent and harmless IPOB members, while celebrating Biafra Day.  The election in Anambra State should not hold and will not hold.  That injustice must first be addressed before any election will take place.

    “Southern political leaders, who are romancing with Federal Government to truncate and jeopardize Biafra struggle because of the selfish aggrandizement, will live to regret their actions because, we will not forget them.

    “Any attempt by Federal Government to take us for granted, should be resisted.  We advise Anambrarians to boycott that election.  Any person that flouts our order does that at his or her peril.  Nobody is our target, but don’t make yourself our target”, the groups warned.

    Reacting to the recent quit notice to the Igbo people living in the North by Arewa youths, and the similar ultimatum by their colleagues (militants) to the Northerners in the Niger Delta, the groups said they did not see it as a threat.

    According to them, it was an opportunity for the Southerners to realise and address their agitations properly with zeal and commitment.

    They advised Southerners, particularly Igbo people, living in the North, not to be carried away by whatever assurances they might have received from any quarters concerning their safety, insisting that they should heed to the order.

    Ben stated: “We do not see it as a threat, but a welcome development. It should not generate disaffection.  But should be accepted with commendation because it would give the agitators opportunity to champion their course with the necessary zeal it requires.

    “In essence, the deadline should stand, both for the South Easterners in the North, and the Northerners in the Niger Delta region and South East. And our people should return home.  Every Southern is our brother or sister, whether from East, West or South.”

  • Declare IPOB terror organisation, Northern youths tells UN

    Declare IPOB terror organisation, Northern youths tells UN

    A coalition of Northern youth group Friday wants the United Nation to prevail on the Nigerian government to declare the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader Nnamdi Kanu as terror group in line with international conventions which the country is signatory to.

    The group wants the United Nation to invoke the relevant conventions and statutes which Nigeria was signatory and compel Nigeria to declare the group as a terror group, pointing out that IPOB and its leader has contravene several provisions of the UN.

    Addressing a news conference in Abuja, spokesman of robe group, Alhaji Shettima Yerima also demanded that UN should intervene by initiate “processes of fir a peaceful referendum as the only option to finally settle the Biafra issue.”

    The group had earlier given an ultimatum to the Igbos living in all part of the north to vacate before October 1, 2017, an action that has received wide condemnation.

    Shettima said: “has finally crossed the boundaries of Nigerian laws and has blatantly breached international laws that specifically friwn at the use of terror ti achieve a goal.”

    He said they have sent a twenty pages petition to the United Nations dated 12th July, 2017, entitled: “Request for urgent intervention brought pursuant to the UN declaration on minorities; European framework convention; UN declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007 in resolution 61/295.”

    They described as peak of insolence a statement credited to Nnamdi Kanu that he would order former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his entire family killed.

    While commending the efforts of the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and other regional leaders toward ensuring lasting peace and stability in the country, Shettima alleged that Kanu and IPOB remained undaunted and “even intensified their violent divisive campaign whuch is the main borne of contention.”

    They, however, demanded that “the UN invokes the relevant stattutes to which Nigeria is a signatory to pronounce Kanu and IPOB as terror outfit proscribe their activities and initiate criminal actions against them.

    “Since it is becoming all the more obvious by the way IPOB and Kanu enjoy massive support from the Igbos back home, the issue of the drive for Biafra nation is still a boiling issue. We urged the UN to intervene by initiating processes for a peaceful referendum as the only option to finally settle the Biafra issue.”

     

  • Biafra: Group to petition US govt over suit against Army Chief, 13 others

    Biafra: Group to petition US govt over suit against Army Chief, 13 others

    The National Committee of Yoruba Youth (NCYY), and the Coalition of Civil Society Groups against Terrorism in Nigeria, have concluded plans, to petition the embassy of the United States in Nigeria, over what it described as another, in the series of attempts, to interfere in the sovereignty of Nigeria, “by some ‘disgruntled’ Nigerians and external collaborators, who have chosen the USA, as an abode to carry out their orchestrated plans, against the Nation’s security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army.”

    The group, in a media briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, reacted to the decision of a United States (U.S.) District Court for the District of Columbia, which has granted leave to a group of 10 Biafran agitators to sue Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, and 13 others for what it described as their complicity in the 2016 torture and extra-judicial killings of some Biafran protesters.

    The group, through its President, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, said it hoped to use the petition to remind the US Government that the activities of those persons, who now seek to hide under the US Judicial system, to distract Nigeria’s ongoing war against terrorism, separatist agitation and all forms of insurgency, had posed several security threats not just to Nigeria, but also to other countries of the world, including the United States.

    Comrade Odeyemi said, contrary to claims by these persons, who he described as agent provocateurs that there is a continuous clamp down on Protesters and their families in Nigeria, it is the Biafra agitators, mainly from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sect, that have been harassing innocent Nigerians, at every given time, that they embark on their activities.

    The group says it will also use the medium to mobilise for the support of the United States government and other international bodies to assist Nigeria in promoting and sustaining the peaceful atmosphere, currently being experienced in the country, as a result of the brilliant effort of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, coupled with the untiring commitment of the nation’s security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army, under General Tukur Buratai, towards a total restoration of peace in most already troubled parts of the country.

    “We wish to advise those persons and their political patrons, who think they can hide in foreign lands to truncate the ongoing process of sustaining our country’s Unity and mutual trust, to have a rethink and join in the ongoing process of building a new Nigeria.

    “The Nigerian Army and its leadership have come of age and enjoys the massive solidarity and support of our people, who can now differentiate between what was obtainable in the past, and an Army, now built on quality service and integrity” Odeyemi summed.

  • Hate speeches: Okorocha cautions Arewa youths, pro-Biafra groups

    Hate speeches: Okorocha cautions Arewa youths, pro-Biafra groups

    …Says call for secession nonsensical

     

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Tuesday cautioned Arewa youths and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for spreading hate and inciting speeches that is capable of causing disaffection among the various ethnic groups in the country.

    The Imo state Governor, also warned those hoping to benefit from the current agitations by the different separatist groups across the country to jettison such ambitions and work for the unity of the country instead, adding that the secessionist calls “is an ill wind that will blow no one any good”.

    Governor Okorocha who was reacting to the quit notice served on the Igbo living in North by the Arewa youths and consequent reactions by pro-Biafra groups, while briefing journalists at the Government House, stated that the so called sit-at-home order by IPOB, which may have triggered the controversial quit notice, was not observed by the Igbo as generally believed.

    According to him, “we never supported the sit-at-home as believed. What happened was that the sit-at-home order came a day after the May 29 public holiday and knowing our people who also love to extend their holiday over any slightest opportunity decided to stay at home for one extra day. Then most of the traders closed their shops for fear of hoodlums who may want to take advantage of the situation to loot their goods”.

    He continued that, “these secessionist agitations are sponsored for personal aggrandizement. At a point, it was believed that the Yoruba got the presidency because of the agitations of the Oduduwa youths, while it was also believed that former President Goodluck Jonathan, became President as a result of the agitations of the Niger Delta militants. So people think that the Igbo presidency can be achieved through IPOB and MASSOB agitations.

    “These agitations are nonsensical and I condemn it in its entirety. We should not be talking about another state within a sovereign state, all we need to do instead of talking about Biafra and MASSOB is to push for the economic emancipation of the Southeast. I know what they will expect me to do as a Governor, is to encourage the Biafra agitation and ask our people to prepare for war. But I will never do such thing. I will never support any call to divide Nigeria.

    “What we should not forget is that the Igbo paid the greatest sacrifice for the unity of this country. The Igbo has the highest investments across the country. The Igbo developed Lagos and other parts of the country and that makes them the highest investors in the Nigeria project”.

    The visibly agitated Governor, however blamed Nigerian leaders for the growing spread of hatred among youths across the country, “we have failed as leaders to instill love in our children. It is about time we took responsibility as leaders to end this threat to our unity. We should not transfer this hatred to the next generation”.

    He also appealed to Ndigbo to have a rethink about the agitation to secede.