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Tag: pro-Biafra

  • Pro-Biafra slams Ajaero over blackout in imo

    Pro-Biafra slams Ajaero over blackout in imo

    A pro-Biafra group, the Biafra Provisional Government, has condemned the ongoing power blackout in Imo state resulting from the clash between the organized labour and the operatives of the state police command.

    The organised labour union had last week shut down Egbu Transmission Station, in Imo state which is EEDC’s source of electricity supply, thereby leaving it with no energy to distribute to its customers, a development that has put the whole of Imo state in darkness.

    The total blackout was imposed on the state capital and beyond by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and their counterpart the Trade Union Congress (TUC) following an attack on Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe AJaero by some security personnel in the state.

    The group also accused the national president of NLC, Mr. Joe Ajaero of using the ongoing power blackout in the state to gain cheap popularity and cause disaffection between the state government and the people of the state.

    The president of Biafra’s Provisional Government, Dr Chile Nwoko, who spoke to newsmen in Owerri on Thursday, November 9, expressed shock at the punishment, sufferings, and hardship the decisions of the labour unions were bringing on the hapless people of the state.

    While praying for the quick recovery of Ajaero from the injuries he sustained, Nwoko also accused him of attempting to use the blackout to cast aspersion on the people of the Imo state by bringing hardship on them.

    He said: “What message is Mr. Ajaero passing across to Imo masses? Is it to cause disaffection between the people and the state government while he is indirectly destroying them and their livelihood?

    “We’re still wondering what Mr. Ajaero intends to gain. Cheap popularity? Bearing in mind that the hospitality industry is the backbone of the economy in Owerri, with the crushing cost of Diesel and gasoline, how will the hotels survive, and how do they pay their workers’ salaries.”

    He lamented that by shutting down the power supply, Ndigbo were now degenerating into contributing to their own sufferings in some percentage, after years of cries of marginalisation.

    Nwoko said: “This is baffling, not only to many who love the Igbo race but also their friends outside Igbo land.”

    Dr. Nwoko lamented that every Monday, businesses were closed due to the order by IPOB, and now comes Mr. Ajaero and his group inflicting more pain and losses to the people and the state. He expressed that it is unpatriotic of Mr. Ajaero.

    He said: “It is really painful that people are bringing businesses and development to their states to create jobs for the youths while Joe Ajaero is importing hardship on the state he claims he comes from. It is a shame”.

    He also called on Chief Iwuanyanwu, who hails from Imo state not to keep silent in the face of destruction, adding that Ohaneze should not be silent over the matter.

    He added: “This has gone beyond labour unionism. There seem to be other motives behind the actions”, he said, calling on Ndi Imo not to be deceived but to protect their state and their livelihood from external forces using Mr Ajaero and NLC to fight their battles against the people.

    Read Also: Peter Obi didn’t take pictures with pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa — Official 

    “While we do not in any way support brutality by state security apparatuses, we condemn in the strongest terms, the punishment, sufferings, and hardship the decisions of the labour unions are bringing on the hapless people of the state”, the president said, adding that the decision was in bad faith.

    Meanwhile, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has explained that the prolonged power outage which has affected the whole of Imo state, occasioned by the industrial action by organized labour is beyond its control while empathizing with its customers in the state.

    The Head of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, described the situation which has lasted for nine days as unfortunate.

    Ezeh explained that with EEDC’s source of power which is at Egbu Transmission Station, Owerri shut down by the Labour Union, there was no way the company could get power to distribute to its customers in Imo state.

  • Pro-Biafra group seek release of arrested leader’s ‘corpse’

    Members of the Biafra Zionists Federation ( BZF) have made claims that its leader, Barr. Benjamin Onwuka is dead.

    Onwuka was arrested alongside his members on Monday August 20 as they attempted to enter the Enugu Government House for the purpose of inauguration of Biafra.

    However, while his followers were freed same evening, Onwuka has not been heard of ever since.

    In a press statement on Friday, the Deputy Leader of the group, Mazi Ambrose Ugwu said every effort they had made to ascertain the whereabouts of their leader had been unfruitful.

    Ugwu alleged : “From all indications, our leader, Barr. Benjamin Onwuka has been killed by security forces.

    “We have been at the DSS Enugu office for several times but they are silent on the matter. The very first day others were released, they even told us that Onwuka too was released. But it turned out to be a hoax.

    “For the past four days, we have gone there to at least give him food, but they refused us entry. So, based on the above situations, we have no further doubt that he has been killed.

    “We are now urging the International Community, especially the United States and Israel to prevail on the Nigerian Government to release his corpse to us for a decent burial. He deserves to be accorded such burial in the light of his struggle for the people.

    “The Buhari’s Government should direct whoever is holding the corpse to release it to the Zionists’ family to enable us pay our last respect to him.

    “However, we must also decry a situation where the Nigerian Security Forces are turning their arms against harmless freedom fighters whereas armed herdsmen are walking the streets unhindered. Nobody has ever seen any Zionist with a matchet, let alone a gun.

    “It is, therefore, the apex of oppression that we are being subjected to this level of intimidation because we are asking for freedom, which we are doing in line with all international laws and conventions.”

    “No form of intimidation will, however, make us to to drop our right for self-determination. We can’t be forced to remain in a country where there is no justice and equity.

    “The disparity in handling killer herdsmen and Biafra agitators is a case in point. While the former is receiving kingly treatment, despite killing thousands of Nigerians, the latter are being subjected to all manner of torture for being civil in their approach,” he further lamented.

  • Army denies killing 150 pro-Biafra protesters

    Army denies killing 150 pro-Biafra protesters

    The Nigerian Army yesterday said it did not kill 150 pro-Biafran protesters, as alleged in a statement by the global human rights watchdog, Amnesty International (AI).

    It said the global rights group appeared determined to wage a campaign of calumny against Nigeria’s military, especially the Army, with a planned release of a report on the alleged mass killing of members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOD) by the Army.

    A statement by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said the allegation is an “outright attempt to tarnish the reputation of the security forces in general and the Nigerian Army in particular, for whatever inexplicable parochial reasons”.

    The Army accused AI for its sustained dabbling into Nigeria’s national security matters in manners that “obliterate objectivity, fairness and simple logic”.

    The statement said: “We wish to debunk the insinuation that our troops perpetrated the killing of defenceless agitators. This is an outright attempt to tarnish the reputation of the security forces in general and the Army in particular, for whatever inexplicable parochial reasons. For the umpteenth time, the Army has informed the public about the heinous intent of this non-governmental organisation (NGO), which is never relenting in dabbling into our national security in manners that obliterate objectivity, fairness and simple logic.

    “The evidence of MASSOB/IPOB violent secessionist agitations is widely known across the national and international domains. Their modus operandi has continued to relish violence that threatens national security. Indeed, between August 2015 and August 2016, the groups’ violent protests have manifested unimaginable atrocities to unleash the reign of peace, security and stability in several parts of the Southeast.

    “A number of persons from the settler communities, who hailed from other parts of the country, were selected for attacks – killed and burnt. Such a reign of hate, terror and ethno-religious controversies that portend grave consequences for national security have been averted severally through the responsiveness of the Army and members of the security agencies.”

  • New pro-Biafra group sacks Kanu, others

    New pro-Biafra group sacks Kanu, others

    The crisis rocking the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worsened yesterday with the emergence of a third faction claiming to be the authentic group representing the organisation.

    The new group, the Reformed Indigenous People of Biafra (RE-IPOB), said it had sacked the IPOB led by the detained Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu as well as another faction, The Rebranded Indigenous People of Biafra (TRIPOB), whose spokesman is Chima Philip Effiong Osuji.

    RE-IPOB said both groups has lost the right to speak for Biafra agitation.

    In a statement by its spokesman Ikemba Biafra, the group, which promised to name its leader on August 29, urged pro-Biafran agitators to remain peaceful.

    But it warned security agents to stop molesting Biafran activists.

    The statement said: “Both IPOB and TRIPOB have been sacked; they should no longer speak for the Biafran people. They are the same outfits and have nothing to offer Biafra. We warn that if Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB and the so-called TRIPOB continue their antics, RE-IPOB will be forced to make public the sponsors of the two groups. RE-IPOB will not accede to the burning of the Biafran flag as the sacked TRIPOB planned. The Biafran flag is sacred to Biafrans.”

  • Pro-Biafra protests

    •Government must probe the incidents with a view to averting a recurrence

    The recent bloody-clash between our security agencies and those celebrating the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the ill-fated Biafra Republic does not portray our country in good light as a democratic country. Indeed, the clash portrays us as having a shallow temperament for democracy, with all its restrictions and exuberances. Of course, we acknowledge that peaceful protest is a fundamental element in any egalitarian democracy; but also, the organisers of any such protest must exercise the needed restraints, to avoid putting the participants in harm’s way.

    So, what was responsible for turning an ordinary democratic culture into a harvest of deaths, for policemen and the protesters?

    We condemn unequivocally the killing of policemen involved in their legitimate duty of maintaining peace and order, on behalf of the state; particularly the report that two policemen were thrown over-board the Niger Bridge by the protesters. If that report is true, then those involved must be apprehended and swiftly brought to justice, to serve as a deterrent for such future misadventure. But we also condemn any willful mauling down of citizens exercising their legitimate right to ventilate an alternative opinion in a pluralistic society like ours. Indeed, if the report that the security agencies attacked and killed some of the celebrators while worshipping in the church is also true, then we demand for justice for those killed.

    Between the agitators and those responsible for maintaining peace and order, the state owes the rest of Nigerians a national ambience for the legitimate pursuit of citizens’ happiness and means of livelihood. The organised protests spanning the major cities of the south east, on the anniversary of the declaration of Biafra 50 years ago, can easily be interpreted as a political protest against the present government at the centre, and that may have explained the forceful putdown. If the motives for the protests are mixed with politics, then the organisers must take the blame for exposing the ordinary people to harm.

    For us, it will be unfair to compare the present time with the unfortunate events of 1966, when one wave of mass murder after another, eventually led the young country into a civil war. So, except to ventilate political frustration, on what basis would any group vehemently push to balkanize Nigeria, without any serious provocations? In many quarters, it is believed that those prodding the protesters on are those who lost out in the last elections, and are hoping to use the protests to gain some attention. The organisers of these protests owe their followers an explanation as to the ultimate aim for the protests; otherwise they act unfairly against them and the country.

    Agreed, that our practice of democracy has its severe imperfections, it doesn’t bode well for us to always resort to violence as the answer for the imperfections. We have no doubt that any participant-activist in the unfortunate era of the 1966 bloody events would condemn any attempt to re-enact that painful era of our history. However, for a country laying claim to democracy, the right reaction should be to engage the protesters, to understand their grievances. Before the recourse to the use of force leading to the alleged death of tens of protesters across the country, what steps did the security agencies take to dialogue with the protesters, or are they merely trained to forcefully quell protests?

    In our view, the President has taken the right step by setting up a meeting with the south east leaders. He must also ask for a probe of what happened, last week. After all, the commander-in-chief is also the national chief mediator and conciliator. Those are the qualities of a statesman.

  • Low turnout for Pro-Biafra protest in Owerri

    Low turnout for Pro-Biafra protest in Owerri

    Turnout was low at yesterday’s protest by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    Though the protest was said to be peaceful, there were minor disturbances as some protesters tried to force motorists to make way for them. The situation almost turned bloody but for the intervention of their leaders.

    The Uchenna Madu-led faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has said the blood relationship between Ndigbo and their Southsouth brethren cannot be broken, no matter the intimidation and propaganda.

    A statement by Uchenna Madu, in reaction to a publication by Sagir Mohammed, said any ploy to instigate hatred between the Southsouth and the Southeast would fail because the people are now wiser.

    The statement reads: “MASSOB can never be intimidated, disorganised or shaken because of some disgruntled, frustrated and dead people like Sagir Mohammed, who alleged that Ndigbo wants to capture and colonise the people of Southsouth with Biafra.

    “MASSOB, IPOB and Lower Niger Congress, with our affiliates in the Diaspora, are more determined, consistent and articulated for Biafra’s Actualisation, not minding the cries of Sagir Mohammed and his likes.

    “We are not in the Biafra struggle to colonise our Southsouth brethren but to decolonise them from the Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba oligarchy, which had held them captive for decades.

    “90 per cent of oil wells in the Niger Delta are owned by these criminal parasites of Northern Oligarchy. Today, the Fulani are crying foul because they have no stake again as Nigeria is in near collapse under Buhari’s leadership, the Fulani are settlers with no permanent land in Nigeria.

    “The people of the eastern region are now wiser, formidable, united, focused and determined for survival, emancipation and an independent Biafra. Igboland is not landlocked as alleged by Sagir Mohammed. The people and land of the Southeast are more developed individually than the entire 19 states of Northern Nigeria.

    “Concerning the property and investment of Biafrans in Nigeria, we are not bothered because of the international law that protects them. As denied by Sagir Mohammed, three states of the Southeast are oil-producing; oil will not be a dependable resource in Biafra.”

    The group also denied allegations that it was responsible for the violence that ensued during the last week’s protest in Aba. It described the allegation as ‘spurious and false’.

    The Ralph Uwazuruike-led faction of the Movement will open liaison offices in the Southeast and Niger Delta.

    Addressing the over 3,000 members during a sensitisation tour of Aba, leader, Solomon Chukwu, noted that the liaison offices would help coordinate the group’s activities and spread the gospel of non-violence.

    He said the reception he got during his visits to Ogoni, Ugep, Uyo, Ogoja, Warri, Ikom, Aba, and others, has assured him that the people of the former Eastern region are united in the agitation to actualise Biafra.

    “We are opening liaison offices in all cities, regions and states of the Biafran territory. We need to acquaint members with our activities, we don’t want violence. We don’t want to lose anybody or shed blood in the name of Biafra. We fought a civil war and many people died but in this era, we will achieve Biafra without violence.

  • Arrested MASSOB protesters charged to court in Enugu

    Arrested MASSOB protesters charged to court in Enugu

    Enugu state police command stated Tuesday that the pro-Biafra protesters arrested in Enugu were mainly non residents and have been charged to court for unlawful assembly.

    According to police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, they were assembling at the Naira Triangle on Monday night.

    A statement by Amaraizu said: ‎”This attracted attention of the officers and men of the command and following the failure of the said persons to disperse after being so requested by the police.”

    A number were arrested in the process while others fled.

    The arrested persons include Nwangwu Friday m of 26 years, Chekwube Eneta m 28 years, Chigozie Mba 29 years, Isaiah Ogazi m 28 years, Onyekachukwu Uzoma 43 years, Onyemalu Princewill m 26 years, Israel Ani 18 years and Ugwuobu Kelechi 24 years.

    Investigations disclosed that many of them were from other states but were hired to be in Enugu for unlawful assembly and processions.

    However, the command promptly charged suspects to magistrate court 111 Enugu East in charge Number CME 121C/2016 on 19/1/16 for the offences as mentioned above.

    Meanwhile, when the case was called up and counts of the charge read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody while the case is adjourned to February 10.

    The command will leave no stone is left unturned in ensuring that Enugu state remains peaceful.

     

     

  • Bloody pro-Biafra protest in Aba

    Bloody pro-Biafra protest in Aba

    •Protesters clash with security men

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday resumed the protest against the continued detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The protest in Aba, Abia State, turned bloody when protesters clashed with security men.

    Unconfirmed reports said about 30 protesters sustained gunshot wounds and seven died. A man hit by a stray bullet died at the hospital.

    A 20-year-old apprentice, Chidozie Okafor, the only son of his parents and a native of Omuohu, in Eziagu council of Enugu State, was hit by a stray bullet while returning from his lunch break. He died immediately.

    Our reporter who monitored the protest reports that the fracas halted commercial activities as businesses were forced to close.

    It was gathered that the protesters, after they were dispersed by security men from the National High School on Port Harcourt road, regrouped around Asa and Park road. Attempts to disperse them were resisted.

    Eyewitnesses said soldiers started shooting sporadically when they realised they were being overpowered and in the process, some protesters were hit while others were arrested.

    Checks within the Aba metropolis showed that security was tightened around military formations and police barracks.

    In a telephone chat with MASSOB’s National Welfare Officer, Mr. Jude Chukwu, he condemned the killings, allegging that about five members of the group were reported dead while 30 others were receiving treatment in undisclosed hospitals.

    Chukwu, who blamed the police and soldiers for the deaths, claimed that the protest was peaceful until the security men started to shoot at unarmed citizens.

    He debunked insinuations that the pro-Biafra groups worked for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, stressing that their protest was part of their push for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

    The police command, through its spokesman Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu warned that the ban on street protests and any form of procession was still in place. It directed its men and officers to resist any attempt by any group to march on the streets.

  • Enugu warns against pro-Biafra protests

    Enugu State government has distanced itself from today’s proposed protest by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    In a statement last Friday, MASSOB said it would resume its protests to press for the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. It said the protests would not be limited to the Southeast, but would be worldwide.

    But the Enugu State government, through the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Udeuhele, said:

    “The attention of the Enugu State government has been drawn to publications in national dailies that there was tension in the Southeast following an alleged threat by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB0 and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stage a protest in the states of the zone on Monday, January 18, over the continued detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi kanu.

    “The government hereby distances itself from the planned protest and, therefore, calls on the people to ignore the threat and go about their normal business as security measures have been put in place to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

    “We appeal to parents and guardians to watch over their children and wards and see that they are not used for unlawful acts. We equally appeal to leaders in our communities, especially traditional rulers to ensure that their youths do not engage in any activity that could undermine the peace in the state.

    “Enugu state government will continue to ensure that lives and property of the citizens are protected so they can enjoy more dividends of democracy.”

  • Pro-Biafra protest: Wike orders arrest of unruly agitators

    Pro-Biafra protest: Wike orders arrest of unruly agitators

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has directed security agencies in the state to alert and arrest Biafran agitators who have resorted to illegal procession and assault of law abiding citizens.

    Information and Communication Commissioner Austin Tam-George said in a statement in Port Harcourt that some Biafran agitators “have resorted to illegal processions, and have assaulted law abiding citizens and residents of the state.”

    He spoke of Wike’s dislike for “the acts of criminality perpetrated by Biafran agitators by whatever name, in the Oyigbo area of the state,” and warned that government “ has directed all security agencies in the state to arrest and prosecute all Biafran agitators who flout the ban on illegal separatist processions and demonstrations in Rivers State.”

    The government urged all residents in the state to remain calm and law abiding.

    Wike had banned any separatist protest or procession by the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, calling for the release of Nnamdi kanu, the detained Director of Biafra Radio charged with treasonable felony.

    Some of the arrested over 20 Pro-Biafran agitators arrested over illegal protests in Port Harcourt last year have been remanded in prison custody.