Women Defending Biafra Go-Naked-Protesting

The Indigenous People of Biafra on Friday accused soldiers from the military cantonment at Ohafia, Abia State of attacking its women at a meeting at Abiriba while identifying with IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement made available to journalists in Awka, IPOB media and publicity secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, alleged that the Nigeria Police  joined the soldiers in the humiliation, molestation, manhandling and humiliation of the women, who did not commit any crime but for identifying with the cause of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Investigation by Southern City News showed that the women had to strip  themselves naked on sighting the security agents approaching  to molest  them.

READ ALL BIAFRAN NEWS UPDATE

But the IPOB media and publicity secretary insisted that the soldiers stormed the venue of the meeting with 20 Hilux vans, alleging that without provocation, the soldiers started beating, arresting and tearing the women’s clothes off their bodies.

He noted that some of the women were stripped naked before they were taken to the army barracks at Ohafia.

The statement said in part: “The Indigenous People of Biafra and its leadership worldwide condemn the unprofessional conduct of the Nigerian Army located at Ohafia against the Biafran and IPOB women’s general meeting holding in Abiriba, Abia State.

“Food, clothes and accessories belonging to the women were seized by the soldiers and taken to the Ohafia barracks.

“This undemocratic conduct of the Nigeria Army must be condemned by all civilized people and nations. The approach to civil policing adopted by the army makes a mockery of common sense and decency.

“Is it the duty of the army to be going about stripping women naked for no justifiable reason?”

“We further gathered from an eye witness at the conference venue that some of the women who were arrested by the Nigerian Army were totally stripped naked.

“This is the highest form of criminal brutality against Biafrans by security apparatus and we wonder when this crime against humanity and unprofessional conduct of the Nigerian Army will stop.

“We are therefore calling on the women organisations around the globe to condemn and take this abuse of Biafra women by the Nigerian Army to the rest of the world.

“We also call on Queen Elizabeth II of England, the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel and other notable women, including human rights organisations across the world, to protect the rights of Biafran women from the hands of the Nigerian Army.”

When contacted on the telephone,the deputy director, Army Public Relations of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sagir Musa said he didn’t know anything about the incident.

Historic: Sit-at-home order observed in 75 countries - IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra on Tuesday appraised the level of compliance with its sit-at-home order and described it as a huge success.

A statement made available to one of our correspondents in Awka, the Anambra State capital, by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said apart from Nigeria, the order was observed in no fewer than 75 countries.

Powerful gave the names of the countries where the order was complied with as Taiwan, Chad, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Russia, Ukraine, Angola, Congo DRC, Mozambique, Luxembourg, Brazil, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Canada, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, France.

Others were Germany, Austria, Finland, South Africa, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin Republic, Gabon, Cape Verde, Madagascar, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Namibia, Equatorial Guinea, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Scotland, Holland, Belgium, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Greece, Pakistan, India,  Trinidad and Tobago, Israel, Italy, Argentina, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Sao Tome and Principe, Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Namibia, Niger Republic,  Tunisia, Algeria and Cape Verde.

He thanked those who made the exercise a success, especially members of the IPOB family.

He described those who did not participate in the exercise as saboteurs, alleging that they were paid by the Federal Government to sabotage the order.

His statement read in part, “The Indigenous People of Biafra and its leadership worldwide congratulate Biafrans and all the IPOB family members worldwide both in Biafra land and in the Diaspora for their compliance with the sit-at-home order issued by our indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu issued this sit-at-home order when he was still in Kuje Prison, Abuja, and it has come to pass; all the people of Biafra both home and abroad complied in all totality. This had not been done in the history of Biafra struggle before.

“We also blame those saboteurs who were paid by the government to sabotage the restoration project because today Biafrans and IPOB members worldwide obeyed Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We, IPOB, must be strong and we promise everybody that Biafra is here.”

But our correspondent observed that the exercise recorded partial success in Anambra State.

The Hausa market located in Dike Park at the heart of Awka, the state capital, was closed even as banks, schools and other major markets were closed.

Despite the order, a few commercial vehicles operated along the Old Awka-Onitsha Road.

Vehicular movement was paralysed in major cities of Onitsha, Nnewi, Awka and Ekwulobia.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr Sam Okaula, said in a telephone chat that the exercise was peaceful.

Enugu: MASSOB rates sit-at-home protest huge success

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra has declared Tuesday’s sit-at-home protest as a ‘huge success’.

MASSOB claimed that the success of the exercise was an indication that, should a referendum be conducted in Biafra areas, the people would vote to secede from Nigeria.

“The huge success achieved in today’s sit-at-home exercise is marvelous and glorious because the Almighty God approved our programme for the commemoration of the golden jubilee of the declaration of Biafra by ‘General’ Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

“The huge success is evident that the coming Biafra referendum shall be a walkover against the Nigerian state,” MASSOB leader, Uchnna Madu, said in a statement, on Tuesday.

He dedicated the huge success to schoolchildren, commercial bus drivers, motorcyclists, tricycle drivers and corporate firms that complied with the sit-at-home exercise.

Ebonyi records partial compliance

In Ebonyi, the sit-at-home order to honour Biafra’s fallen heroes, who died during the Civil War between 1967 and 1970, was partially complied with by residents of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, and other neighboring towns in the state.

One of our correspondents reported that economic and commercial activities, including vehicular movements were witnessed in the state during the exercise.

As early as 4am, the state capital witnessed a heavy presence of armed security operatives, who patrolled the town with vehicles. Helicopters were also used for surveillance.

As the day broke, economic activities gradually gathered momentum with residents trooping out of their houses for their places of work.

Shops, which were initially locked, opened up for commercial activities in the capital.

Two popular markets in the city,  Abakpa Market and Kpirikpiri Market, opened for commercial activities.

Also, a visit to some schools in Abakaliki showed that academic activities were ongoing while motor parks were opened for commercial activities.

A bank customer, who preferred anonymity, told one of our correspondents that he was glad that the banks opened for transactions, stating that anything otherwise would have brought hardship on the people.

Update: Banks, Schools, markets shut in Imo as Biafra celebrate 50

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Biafra by the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra and the Indigenous People of Biafra, Commercial activities were skeletal on Tuesday in Imo State, especially Owerri, the state capital.

Banks, Universities, schools, markets, corporate offices and most petroleum stations failed to open for the day’s business.

READ: All The Latest Update On Biafra At 50 Celebration Across The South East

All the banks our correspondent visited at bank road, Wetheral read, Mbari and item streets in the state capital were locked as customers struggled to make use of the Automated Teller Machines.

Almost all the private schools in the state capital failed to open for studies, even as pupil and students of government owned schools failed to turn up for studies.

The popular Ekeukwu Owerri main market situated in the heart of town did not open.

There were skeletal services at the state secretariat, as civil servants who showed up did so to avoid victimization from the Government.

BIAFRA UPDATE: Onitsha, Awka become ‘ghost’ cities as residents comply with sit-at-home order

A senior Bank official who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone said that the bank failed to open because of the security situation caused by the celebration.

He said that they do not want a situation gunmen will take advantage of the situation in the state to rob the banks.

Speaking to our correspondent on the telephone, the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, said that policemen were deployed in strategic and “black spots” across the state to checkmate lawlessness.

Ezike said, “The state is peaceful, there is no operation show of force today. What we are doing today is to deploy our men in strategic areas and black spots. If you go to the control post, Okigwe roundabout, and other places, you will see them. We have the capability and capacity to protect the residents of the state.

The spokesperson for Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps in the state, Lowell Chimeziri, said that the operatives of the command were on patrol across the state to prevent a breakdown of the law and order.

Biafra marks 50 years : Southeast Nigeria on shut-down

Shops, schools and businesses were shut in south-east Nigeria on Tuesday, 50 years to the day since an independent rRepublicof Biafra was declared, sparking a brutal civil war.

In Onitsha, the economic hub of Anambra state on the banks of the River Niger, most markets were closed and the streets were largely empty of people and traffic.

Separatist sentiment persists in the region, which is dominated by the Igbo people, and the main pro-Biafran independence group has called on supporters to stay at home.

“No work today, we are Biafran, we are not Nigerians,” said Ebere Ichukwu Eli, one of the few people to venture outside, where there was a visible security presence.

“No violence, it is a peaceful sit at home. We are protesting peacefully,” the 47-year-old told AFP.

A woman who gave her name only as Justine, said: “The market is closed today. I’m just going home to stay with my children.

“We want our one Biafra. It’s our land. That’s why we all sit at home today.”

– Over 100 arrested –

The closures were either to commemorate the anniversary in support or because of fears of violence, local people said.

Nigerian police last week denounced “planned protests and order of market closures” and warned it would “deal decisively” with any breach of the peace or unlawful protest.

Last year, demonstrations marking the declaration of Biafran independence turned bloody. Amnesty International said the military gunned down more than 60 people.

Since August 2015, more than 150 people have been killed in pro-Biafra protests, said Amnesty’s Nigeria director Osai Ojigho. Nigeria’s government denies the claim.

“We urge the Nigerian security agencies to conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure public order without resorting to force,” he added.

Amnesty said the security forces had arrested more than 100 members of pro-Biafran separatist groups in the run-up to Tuesday’s anniversary.

Calls for independence never disappeared even after the 30-month civil war, which left more than one million dead, most of them Igbos, mainly from starvation and disease.

Many people accuse the government of failing to invest in the southeast since the end of the war in 1970, blighting development. Some see it as a punishment for the conflict.

Support for secession has increased since the arrest in late 2015 of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the pro-independence Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement.

AFP

BIAFRA UPDATE: Onitsha, Awka become ‘ghost’ cities as residents comply with sit-at-home order

BIAFRAN DAY CELEBRATION:: There are no signs of commercial activity in Onitsha and Awka in Anambra state as most residents are indoor, apparently in compliance with the sit-at-home order.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) had asked all Igbo residents of the south-east to stay at home to observe Biafra Remembrance Day.

The groups are marking the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Biafra by the late Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Speaking with TheCable, Ebuka Obiakor, a resident of Onitsha, said the main market in the city was closed, and that there was no sign of life in the area.

“The main market is closed, and banks are not open. Residents are observing the sit-at-home order. In fact, I am in village now,” he said.

Also, Ral Uba-Anene, a civil servant in Awka, told TheCable that there was no form of commercial activity in the city.

“Nothing is happening here. I am trying to get to work but there are no buses,” he said.

Another resident of the city,  Alex Ugwuja, a lecturer, said the same thing.

“There is no commercial activity. I am in my house,” he said.

ALSO READ: BIAFRA DAY CELEBRATION- Police Warn Against Intimidation Of Citizens, Provide Distress Numbers

There has been a heavy build-up of security agents in the south-east, following threats of protest by pro-Biafra groups.

Last Friday, the police threatened to deal with the groups if they protested in the streets.

Amnesty International, a human rights watchdog, has warned Nigerian security forces not to repeat the bloodbath of 2016 when more than 60 pro-Biafra protesters were killed.

BIAFRA DAY CELEBRATION: Police Warn Against Intimidation Of Citizens, Provide Distress Numbers

BIAFRAN CELEBRATION UPDATE: The Enugu State Police Command has warned pro-Biafra groups against intimidation and harassment of law abiding residents during Biafra Day celebration today, May 30th.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State, Ebere Amaraizu, who gave the warning in a statement, called on citizens of the state to disregard the sit-at-home directive.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that various pro-Biafra groups, who are agitating for an independent Biafran State, issued a sit-at-home directive to the people of the South-East and South-South regions.

The group said that the sit-at-home directive was to commemorate the fallen heroes during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, which started in 1967.


“The command advises members of the public to disregard such order and go about their normal lawful businesses.

“The command is also advising the public to watch out for any person or group under any guise who will come to intimidate, threaten or force them to shut down their offices or shops,” he said.

“The command urges the people to report such threat to nearby police station or alert the command through its distress lines 08032003702, 08075390883,08086671202 and 08098880172.

“You can also report through the command social media platform of twitter handle POLICENG_ENUGU and Face-book page of NigeriapoliceforceEnugustatecommand.

“The command in partnership with other sister security agencies and relevant bodies has put in place adequate machinery; as security apparatus have been mobilised to fish out those in this habit and bring them to book,” he said.

Sit-at-home: MASSOB mobilise residents, Security agencies in show of force,

Members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra and the Indigenous People of Biafra on Monday morning staged a procession in Owerri, the Imo State capital, ahead of the May 30 “sit-at-home” order by the pro-Biafran agitators.

This was just as security agents comprising the men of the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, Army and Air Force also marched around major streets in Owerri and other parts of the state.

Singing pro-Biafran songs, the secessionist groups distributed handbills, with the inscription “2017 Biafran heroes’ Remembrance Day. We remember our fallen heroes from 1966 to 2017 – the 3.5 million Biafrans killed in Nigeria Biafra war, the over 200 IPOB members killed from 2015 till date; the 30th May, 2017 sit-at-home and celebrating 50th Biafran anniversary.”

Amidst cheers from residents, who came out to watch them, MASSOB and IPOB members demonstrated on the street, clutching various Biafran insignia into.

They, however, did not clash with the security agents who were equally on a separate procession.

Speaking to one of our correspondents on the phone, MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, said by the procession, security agents were helping his organisation to make the May 30 celebration a huge success.

Madu said members of his group were on the streets to sensitise the people on the need to sit at home on Tuesday in honour of Biafran activists who died while fighting for the freedom of the Biafran people.

The MASSOB leader accused security agents of orchestrating plans to attack his members and IPOB during the celebrating.

“We are not deterred by what the security agents are doing. They are instilling fear into our people thereby helping to make the celebration a success. They want to attack us tomorrow (Tuesday), but we are not deterred,” he said.

The police spokesperson in the state, Andrew Enwerem, told one of our correspondents on the phone that the combined procession by operatives of the different security agencies was “Operation Joint Show of Force.”

He explained that its purpose was to sensitise the people on the need to go about their lawful duties and disregard the “sit-at-home” directive by the pro-Biafran agitators.

The police in Imo State assured residents of the state to shun the “sit-at-home” order issued by the members of MASSOB and IPOB, saying that they had the capability and capability to protect them from the pro-Biafran agitators.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, in a statement issued in Owerri on Monday, stated that the Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, in conjunction with heads of other security agencies, advised the residents not to fall prey to the propaganda and instruction issued by the Biafran agitators about the “sit-at-home” on Tuesday.

He said in line with instruction by the Inspector-General of Police to  commissioners of police to keep their states on red alert ahead of the celebration, the command in collaboration with other security agencies had started an “operation show of force” and other simulation exercises in the state capital to sensitise the people that the police would protect them.

Advising parents and guardians to admonish their children and wards against taking part in any violent conduct, Enwerem described MASSOB and IPOB members as unpatriotic elements whose “identities remain largely unknown.”

But IPOB on Monday alleged that  security agencies had placed surveillance on its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement by its  Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the Afaraukwu residence of Kanu in Umuahia was under siege.

He said the Nigerian Air Force was using helicopter to monitor Kanu’s community and environs.

It maintained that the police and army attacked its members, who were evangelising in Aba on Monday.

Biafran Agitators donate cow allegedly named ‘Buhari’ to Nnamdi Kanu

Following the May 30th declaration by Biafra agitators as sit-at-home Day in commemoration of the Biafra Independence Day, some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) claimed to be based in Malaysia but travelled home for the planned Biafra Day have allegedly donated a live cow allegedly named “Buhari” to their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to be killed on Biafra Day.

The story seen on an online news medium, The BreakingTimes, said that Mr. Kanu “who has received hundreds of important visitors including high-placed politicians since he was released on bail by an Abuja High Court in April, accepted the gift warmly.”

The reports also claimed that the members named the cow before donating it to their leader.

In the photo, two of the claimed IPOB members who donated the cow are seen standing with Nnamdi Kanu while another picture shows them standing beside the said cow.

Recall that Fifty years ago, the Igbo people of southeast Nigeria seceded, declaring an independent Republic of Biafra and sparking a brutal civil war that left about one million people dead. Continue Reading from source 

Ex President, Obasanjo calls on FG to negotiate with Biafran Agitators

Nigerian Ex President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the Federal Government to negotiate with those agitating for the creation of a Biafran republic out of the current set-up in Nigeria.

Obasanjo made this known at an event, tagged ‘Memory and Nation Building: Biafra 50 years later’, which held in Abuja on Thursday.

BREAKING: Southern Cameroon joins Biafra, pledges support for IPOB

The event was held to commemorate 50 years of the declaration of an independent state of Biafra by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu on May 30, 1967.

Obasanjo as the Commander, Third Marine Commando Division, was the military officer who accepted the surrender of the Biafran forces on January 12, 1970, after three years of war.

However, the former President said the agitation for Biafra was like a woman complaining constantly about her marriage and threatening to file for a divorce against her husband.

Obasanjo said in such a situation, the husband must pet and “massage” his wife to make her feel loved.

He stated, “I believe that the point must be clear. Nigeria must be loved and we must treat Nigeria as we treat love affairs. It must be massaged. Nigeria must be massaged by all of us.

“It is like a love affair. If in a house with a husband and a wife and the wife says ‘I am fed up, I am going’ and every day, that is the song you hear, you will soon get fed up yourself as the husband and you will say, ‘if you want to go, you can go’.

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“But if there is any misunderstanding and you resolve it, and you find a solution, you will live together almost forever. I believe there is no substitute for holding Nigeria and massaging it as you massage love. There is no alternative and I will say we should even appeal.

“If anybody says he wants to go, it is not that you will say ‘you can go if you want to go’. Don’t go! There is enough cake for each and every one of us. If what you are asking for is more of the cake, then ask for it in a way that is pleasant, not in a way that will make others feel you are not entitled to what you are asking for.”

Recalling his role in the Nigerian Civil War, Obasanjo said it was never the plan of the Nigerian government to exterminate the Igbo.

He explained that everything that the federal troops did was in a bid to unite the country.

Obasanjo added, “We had in our pocket the Geneva convention to guide us. In addition to that, we had a special code of conduct. Third, we had foreign observers. We had people who were like umpires.

“If it was a war to exterminate and we had no reconciliation in mind, what would foreign observers be doing? The foreign observers reported periodically and even had powers to investigate any allegation and they did.”

Also speaking at the event, acting President Yemi Osinbajo said Nigerians must continue to strive for the unity of the nation.

While delivering his speech, titled ‘Greater together than apart’, Osinbajo noted that the civil war was a stain on the history of Nigeria.

He, however, said it would be foolish if Nigerians passed through such a thing again.

The acting President stated, “Indeed the saying ‘experience is the best teacher’ is incomplete. The full statement of that Welsh adage is that experience is the best teacher for a fool. History is a better and kinder teacher.”

Osinbajo said the demand for secession was not exclusive to Nigeria but was also present in many western countries including the United Kingdom and the United States.

He, however, stated that the answer to the problems of Nigeria goes beyond secession.

The acting President said the diversity in Nigeria should be seen as a blessing because it offered manifold opportunities for greatness.

Osinbajo added, “The most successful nations of the world are those who do not fall into the lure of separation but who through thick and thin forge unity in diversity. Nigeria is no different. We are not two or three but more of 300 ethnic groups between the same geographical space, presented with a great opportunity to combine all of our strengths into a nation that is truly more than the sum of its parts.”

He said Nigerians should never shy away from discussing the terms of our unity because debate was an essential aspect of democracy.

The acting President added, “I fully believe that Nigerians should exercise, to the fullest extent, the right to discuss and debate the terms of our existence. Debates and disagreements are fundamental aspects of democracy.”

The President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, said the political system was jaundiced and hindering proper development, adding that with fiscal autonomy, every state in Nigeria would develop faster.

Nwodo said, “Before the war, national unity was the norm. A Biafran was a member of Northern Nigeria House of Chiefs. Biafrans lived freely and invested in all parts of Nigeria.

“In Lagos, Dr Azikiwe was elected leader of Government Business. Mbonu Ojike was elected Deputy Speaker. In Enugu, Alhaji Umoru Altine, a Fulani man, was elected Mayor of Enugu. Mr. Willoughby, a Yoruba man, was Accountant-General.”

ALSO READ THIS ARTICLE: IPOB Orders Market Closure On May 30 To Honour Biafra Heroes

Punch

Crisis Rocks Biafra Camp As MASSOB Pulls Out Of Planned Celebration

BIAFRA UPDATE: Crisis seems to have hit agitators for a sovereign state as a main group, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) has pulled out of the celebration slated for Monday

MASSOB has also disowned its founder, Ralph Uwazurike, and also denied being affiliated to a group called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM),

ALSO READ THIS:  Southern Cameroon joins Biafra, pledges support for IPOB
Uchenna Madu, one of the leaders of MASSOB, directed members of the organisation to shun the May 22 celebration and brace up for the main event slated for May 30, which is Biafra remembrance day.

He called on supporters of the movement not to give up “as the birth of Biafra was already in sight”.

“We have reiterated our solemn oath taking for actualization and restoration of an independent Republic of Biafra,’’ he said in a statement.

“We reassure the people of Biafra that actualization and restoration of Biafra is sacrosanct and sacred.

“Every aspect of Biafra struggle must abhor deceit, self glorification, tribal/religious sentiments and love for mundane things.”

He said MASSOB declared support for sit at home exercise for all Biafrans on May 30, 2017, as a mark of respect and honour to “gallant Biafra soldiers and civilians that sacrificed their precious lives for establishment of Biafra during the war of 1967–1970”.

“We must continue to remember, honour and celebrate the gallantry and braveness of Biafra soldiers whom the whole world was astonished for their military exploits during Nigeria Biafra war,” he said.

“Their bravery, military excellence, consistency, technological exploits and intelligences can never be forgotten or silenced.”

He said MASSOB wished to inform the people of Biafra that “we don’t have any Biafra anniversary programme on 22 May, 2017’’.

“The sit at home exercise calls for sober reflection on the way forward, it calls for individual and family prayers for speedy actualization and restoration of Biafra, it will also reflect on building synergy and cohesion among the Pro Biafra groups for the preparation for the coming referendum.

“MASSOB also reiterates our earlier position that we are not attached to any group called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM),

“MASSOB is not BIM, also the so called BIM can never be MASSOB. MASSOB collaborates and work with other genuine pro -Biafra groups like IPOB, Lower Niger Congress, Eastern Peoples Congress, Biafra Peoples National Council, Joint Revolutionary Council and AFRA Descendants.

“The people of Biafra should disregard the false information that MASSOB will observe Biafra day on May 22, 201, he said.

“The golden jubilee celebration of Biafra declaration anniversary will be golden and superlative. It will be a moment of sober reflection among the Biafra agitators.”

He said that the commemoration of the anniversary would bring more unifying forces of non- violence for speedy actualization and restoration of Biafra.

“We are aware that Nigeria security agents are not comfortable about the coming anniversary. MASSOB is also aware that security agents will exhibit their jittery and fears mostly the overzealous ones that love operating the trigger in a cowardice manner against non violence Biafra agitators,” he said.

“The threat and presence of Nigeria security agents will not deter us from exercising our fundamental indigenous right.”

TheCable

Biafra Agitation- MASSOB leader meets Nnamdi Kanu

Uchenna Madu, the leader of Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), visited the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Madu and his team visited Kanu in Abia state, on Thursday, May 18.

Although the purpose of the meeting has not been disclosed, they are sure to have discussed issues bordering on Biafra. The visit by Madu was also to congratulate Nnamdi Kanu who was recently released from Kuje Prison.

It is also hinted that the forthcoming Biafra remembrance day, was part of the topics on the table.

ALSO READ THIS: 'Biafra is for the Igbo....I am a Biafran', says Iwuanyanwu

While the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB has declared May 30 as sit-at-home for all Igbo people, mostly those doing business in the Southeastern Nigeria, the MASSOB has taken May 22- 30 to mark the actualization of Biafra.

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The two groups are front liners in the pursuit of the actualization of sovereign state called Biafra. MASSOB, has stated that 20 countries will be sending their observers to monitor the 17th anniversary celebration of the group billed to hold May 22nd to 30th. NAIJ.com gathered that MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor, revealed this in Aba, Abia state.

Okereafor noted that some of the foreign observers who he described as friends and partners of MASSOB were being attracted by MASSOB non-violent policy. He stressed that they would be on ground to monitor the celebrations in any Biafra city of their choice. Read more from the source

IPOB Orders Market Closure On May 30 To Honour Biafra Heros

The Indigenous People of Biafra on Thursday said there was no going back on its plan to mark the remembrance of the fallen heroes of the Biafra War with a sit-at-home protest in the South-East and South-South regions of the country on May 30.

The planned protest, which is to coincide with the annual ‘Biafra Remembrance Day’, would also be used to honour the memory of pro-Biafra activists who lost their lives in various encounters with security agencies.

IPOB, in a statement released by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said all markets in the erstwhile Biafra territories must be closed on May 30.

The statement also said that there shall be no vehicular movement in the areas from 12am on May 29 until 12am on May 30.

“We advise Biafrans home and abroad, no matter your place of residence in Biafra and Nigeria alike, to make sure you terminate your journey before 12 midnight on May 29, 2017 as there would be no vehicular movement anywhere in Biafra land one minute past 12am on the 30th.

“All markets in Biafra land and motor parks must shut down, including the Ogbo Ogonogo Market and all the street markets in Ahaba (a.k.a Asaba) and parts of Biafra land.

“We (will) draw the attention of the world to Biafra land on that day. The death of our soldiers and agitators can never be in vain,” the statement said.

IPOB vowed that threats from security agencies and attempts by persons it described as ‘Nigerian-government-paid saboteurs’ would not deter it from going ahead to implement the planned ‘sit-at-home’ protest.

The statement added, “The countdown to the May 30, 2017 Remembrance Day has begun. We, the Indigenous People of Biafra, under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to reiterate once again that our May 30 remembrance of our fallen heroes and heroines remains a priority for every Biafran both home and abroad, no matter the efforts by the Nigerian government-paid saboteurs and threats from security operatives designed to discourage the general public from sitting at home as ordered by our leader.

“The saboteurs and agents cannot stop us from honouring our fallen heroes because it is our inalienable right to remember and honour those who died in the struggle for Biafra independence.”

Punch

We will retaliate if anything happens to our members in detention - IPOB

The Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) has lamented the continued detention of some of its members in various prisons across the country, threatening to retaliate if anything happens to them.

The Nation reports that the group in a statement said the Nigerian judiciary has been compromised which was why Nnamdi Kanu was released with strict bail condition. The group reiterated that there would be a stay-at-home protest on May 30 to honour fallen Biafra heroes. IPOB vowed to continue with the fight to achieve Biafra as it was a God-sent project.

Read the statement below: “The Attorney General of the Federation should have dropped all the concocted and fabricated charges preferred against our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and others who are still detained in prison to save their image in the face of the international community”. “It is very appalling that a well-trained judge who passed through so many seminars before being elevated to the position of a Chief judge in a Federal High court can allowed herself and the court to be used to barre Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from exercising his fundamental human rights”.

“However, the continued detention of those mentioned above in different prisons and DSS secret cells across the country remained the weakness on the side of judicial commission and Attorney General of Federation”. “It is very abnormal that the judicial commission and judiciary in Nigeria that are supposed to be the last hope for common man would turned themselves to be problem for the masses they are supposed to protect”.
“With the judgement on 25th April 2017 banning our leader from speaking to the press and not to stay with more than 10 persons proves to the entire world that the judiciary in Nigeria is where truth can never prevail”.

ALSO READ THIS: I don’t know why south-east govs are afraid, says Nnamdi Kanu

“According to the information reaching us indicates that our members detained in different prisons and secret cells across the country are no more safe as most of them have fallen sick because of lack of proper medical attention”. “Especially those being detained in Kuje prison, we are calling for their immediate released to enable them take proper medical treatment because we cannot take it easy with anybody if anything should happen to any of our members in detention anywhere in the country”.

We are calling on men and women of good conscience across the globe, Amnesty International and relevant human rights organizations to prevail on the Attorney General of the Federation and the judicial commission to drop the fabricated charges preferred against our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and others detained illegally alongside him in Kuje Prison because they committed no offense against anybody or Nigeria state”.
“IPOB remained a peaceful and nonviolent organization in history of freedom fighting across the globe and we will continue to follow the lay down rules provided by the United Nations charter for the rights of the indigenous people”.

The Biafra liberation movement is sacrosanct and waxing stronger both home and in diaspora and will not go back in the quest for the restoration of Biafra, anybody who is thinking to sabotage the struggle is doing that to his or her own detriment”. “We believe that the conditional and harsh bail attached to our leader with which he was released was to cage him and to dampened the high spirits of IPOB family members worldwide which has failed”.

“The injustice against the people of Biafra in Nigeria are numerous to mentioned, IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have decided to fight it to a standstill”. “Of course many are aware that this is a project of God Almighty which IPOB embarked upon to liberate our people from the shackles of bondage we find ourselves in the hands of those who are determined to ruin us with the help of the British Government no matter the price we might pay in the cause of pursuing this freedom, we will not backpedal”.
“We are advising the entire Biafrans both home and abroad to observe the remembrance day celebration of our fallen heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our people to live today in Nigeria”. Continue reading from source

I don’t know why south-east govs are afraid, says Nnamdi Kanu

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says he does not know why governors in the south-east are afraid to identify with the struggle of the realisation of the sovereign state of Biafra.

In a chat with PUNCH at his father’s palace in Umuahia, Abia state, Kanu said it could be the case that the governors do not want to to lose their political relevance.

Kanu, who said the actualisation of the “Republic of Biafra” was possible, disclosed that he does not intend to become the head of the republic.

“I don’t know why they (the governors) are just afraid. Biafra will be a home for all people who agree with our values,” he said.

“If you are from Sokoto, you can be a ‘Biafran’ if you believe in our value system of equity, justice and fairness.

“I don’t even intend to be the head of the Biafra republic in the end. I don’t like to always lead. I want to be led so that I can proffer solutions.

“If Uwazuruike had done well, I won’t be doing what I’m doing today. I’m into this struggle because of leadership vacuum.

ALSO RAED THIS: What IPOB members caught doing before Nnamdi Kanu will shock you

“I’m into this fight because my people are suffering; they are being denied their rights and privileges. Nothing will stop this fight. And I must assure you, we are almost there. Biafra is almost here with us.”

Kanu has been on the forefront for the demand of a sovereign state of Biafra.

He was arrested in 2015 on an 11-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony, though six of the charges, including that of terrorism, were struck out early in 2017.

An Abuja high court granted him bail on April 25.

Part of his bail conditions was not to speak with journalists as well as not to appear in a gathering of more than ten persons.

What IPOB members caught doing before Nnamdi Kanu will shock you

Some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB pictured above bowing to their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, during a visit to his house recently. Nnamdi regained his freedom two weeks ago after almost two years in detention. See more photos below ,

Breaking: Ifeanyi Ubah Sues DSS, Seeks Release From Detention

The Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah, has sued the Department of State Services before the Federal High Court in Lagos over what he termed unlawful detention by the security agency.

Ubah’s lawyer, Mrs. Ifeoma Esom, who appeared before Justice Mohammed Idris today with an ex parte application, claimed that her client had been in detention since May 6.

She urged the judge to order the DSS to release Ubah to prevent the security agency from coercing him to accede to “whatever conditions they impose on him in exchange for his freedom.”

Upon hearing the ex parte application on Tuesday, Justice Idris ordered the DSS to bring Ubah before him on May 12, 2017, to show cause why the businessman should not be released unconditionally.

In an affidavit filed in support of the application, the Secretary of Capital Oil and Gas Limited,George Oranuba, claimed that the DSS arrested his boss on account of allegations levelled against him by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria.

According to Oranuba, the issue had become a subject of litigation and was already before the court.

Oranuba, however, said despite the subsisting suit, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the DSS still invited Ubah for questioning.

According to him, Ubah had earlier been detained from March 24 to April 14, 2017.

The DSS had claimed that it arrested and detained Ubah for what it termed an act of “economic sabotage” involving an alleged diversion of petroleum products worth about N11bn.

Punch

TRENDING: Buhari 'MISSING' from FEC meeting again, Osinbajo presides

President Buhari is absent from the Federal Executive Council meeting currently holding at the cuncil chambers in Aso Rock Abuja. This would be the third week Presidnet Buhari has not attended the meeting. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is prsiding over the meeting, started off proceedings with the call for the recitation of the National anthem at exactly 11am.


President Buhari might however attend the meeting before it closes.

Last week, Lai Mohammed informed Nigerians that Presidnet Buhari needed some time to rest and would be working from home. He is yet to address state house correspondents on why President Buhari failed to attend the meeting again today.

BREAKING: Nigeria not your conquered territory, Ohanaeze tells northern leaders

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-political association of the Igbo, rose from a meeting in Enugu on Tuesday with a declaration that Nigeria was not the North’s conquered territory.

Ohanaeze, which condemned the northern leaders’ opposition to calls for the restructuring of Nigeria, insisted that “all sections of the country are joint and equal partners.”

Addressing journalists after a National Executive Committee meeting at Ohanaeze Secretariat in Enugu, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, said northern leaders were acting as if Nigeria was their conquered territory.

Ohanaeze was particularly miffed at the rejection of the recommendations of the 2014 constitutional conference by a group of northern leaders, led by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu.

“Some northern leaders, in their utterances, give the impression that our nation is their conquered territory. God forbid!

“We should all be joint and equal partners in a common bid to build a united, virile and strong country.

“Not too long ago, a group of northern leaders met in Abuja and through their spokesperson, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, made very strong views on the national discourse.

“They first of all distanced themselves from the conclusions of the 2014 constitutional conference, describing their treatment at the conference as intimidating and claiming to have been under-represented and therefore advised the present Federal Government and the National Assembly not to, in any way, take the conclusions of that conference seriously.

“They also condemned any suggestion to restructure the federation, insisting that our present structure must remain.

“The position of the northern leaders in the Abuja meeting when compared to some Federal Government policies give us reason for serious apprehension,” Nwodo said.

The Ohanaeze leader warned that if the North was disassociating itself from the outcome of the confab based on the claim that the region was under-represented, the Igbo would also excuse themselves from the 1979 and 1999 constitutions, which he said were prepared by mostly northern military officers.

Insisting on restructuring, Nwodo observed, “Our federation is out of sync with all known definitions of a federation. The need for restructuring is so obvious when Kano with 9.5 million people has 44 local governments and Lagos with 9.1 million has 20 local governments. Bayelsa has only eight local governments.”

Nwodo added that Ohanaeze was constituting a committee of Senior Advocates of Nigeria of the Ohanaeze states to take the Federal Government to court over the “patently discriminating attitude towards the South-East and the South-South” in presidential appointments.

He hinted that the suit filed by Chief Olisa Agbakoba, (SAN), could be amended to include fresh issues raised by the Ohanaeze.

Nwodo added that Ohanaeze would, in the same vein, challenge the bail conditions given to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

He added that the bail conditions were not expected to be met, noting that the government intends to re-arrest Kanu.

“…If he (Kanu) cannot be in the company of more than 10 people, it means he cannot go to church, he cannot travel in a bus or plane carrying more than 10 people. He cannot walk the street lest his presence attracts more than 10 people. The bail condition is a celebrated example of judicial rascality,” Nwodo stressed.

Ohanaeze urged legislators from the South-East, South-South, North-Central and North-East to reject the proposed $5.185bn China EXIM Bank loan due to the exclusion of their zones in the projects the Federal Government intend to fund with the loan.

Ayodele Fayose becomes Governor of Biafra - IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has bestowed Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, with the title of honorary governor of Biafra Republic.

IPOB announced this in a statement made available to PUNCH and signed by Emma Powerful, its media and publicity secretary.

It said the honour was in recognition of his solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the group, and also for his display of courage at the court sitting in Abuja during Kanu’s recent arraignment.

“We also acknowledge the immense contributions of the honorary Biafran Gov. Ayodele Fayose who did what no south-east or south-south governor had the courage to do,” the statement read.

IPOB also commended Osita Chidoka and Femi Fani-Kayode, former aviation ministers; Chukwuma Soludo, Pat Utomi, Ike Ekweremau, deputy senate president; Enyinnaya Abaribe and others “for their support in the release of its leaders.”

Police warn Biafra agitators against street protest tomorrow

ABUJA, NIGERIA - The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra against street protest during the May Day celebration in Abuja on Monday.

The command in a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, ASP Usen Omorodion said intelligence at its disposal indicated that IPOB members planned to take over Abuja streets, which it said may result in breakdown of law and order.

 'Biafra is for the Igbo....I am a Biafran', says Iwuanyanwu

The command said it was prepared to confront any threat to public peace and harmony and warned the group to desist from its planned action.

It said, “Intelligence report at the disposal of police revealed that a certain group identified as the indigenous people of Biafra has threatened to take over the streets of FCT in the name of registering their protest.

“The commissioner of police hereby warns individual and groups against indulging in acts of protest that will result to breakdown of law and order in the federal capital territory.”

Also Read This: In Every Igbo Man There Is Biafra

The force said it would not fold its arms and watch criminal elements hide under the guise of such protest to cause breakdown of law and order.

It advised FCT residents to go about their lawful duties without fear and molestation “as the command is well prepared and possesses the necessary wherewithal to confront any threat to the serene peace in the FCT.”