The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday counted its losses
in last Monday’s attack on agitators during the celebration of the 49th
anniversary of the defunct Republic of Biafra by security agents in
some parts of the South East and South-South geopolitical zones.
IPOB, which put the casualty figure at 53, said that 207 sustained
bullet wounds while 403 were arrested by security agents comprising
soldiers, police, the Department of State Security (DSS) and the
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Officer, Mr. Emma
Powerful, want world leaders to come to our rescue because Nigeria’s
security agents have perfected plans to kill all Biafrans. IPOB family
members worldwide raised alarms before now that the Federal Government
and security agents had perfected plans to kill and maim unarmed
Biafran civilians without provocation.
“The members of IPOB who travelled from far away moved into a Catholic
Church along Nkpor Umuoji Road to seek the consent of God Almighty who
has been guiding us in this noble project but the combined team of
security agents moved into the church and killed so many and a lot of
people were wounded.
“The worst side of it was want world leaders to come to our rescue
because Nigeria’s security agents have perfected plans to kill all
Biafrans. IPOB family members worldwide raised alarms before now that
the Federal Government and security agents had perfected plans to kill
and maim unarmed Biafran civilians without provocation.
“The members of IPOB who travelled from far away moved into a Catholic
Church along Nkpor Umuoji Road to seek the consent of God Almighty who
has been guiding us in this noble project but the combined team of
security agents moved into the church and killed so many and a lot of
people were wounded.
“The worst side of it was that our members who were coming to honour
Biafra’s fallen heroes and heroines did not get to the venue for the
ceremony before they met their untimely deaths.
“IPOB discovered that Hausa/ Fulani terrorist groups, which were not in
uniforms, attacked our members with the Army, Navy and Police, killing
and carrying the dead bodies with their Hilux vans.”
Meanwhile, IPOB has called on South East governors, politicians and
elder statesmen to emulate Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose for
being outspoken and courageous in condemning the killing of non-violent
pro-Biafra agitators.
The group said if responsible Nigerians had prevailed on President
Muhammadu Buhari to do the right thing by releasing its leader and
director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, the wanton killing of innocent
people would have been averted.
“IPOB salutes Governor Fayose for showing that he is the only
detribalised politician after the late Owelle of Onitsha, Dr. Nnamdi
Azikiwe that is still living and does not play politics with the lives
of any citizen of Nigeria.
“Fayose has shown that he does not play politics after electioneering
campaign and election has come and gone; he knows what governance is all
about, unlike some other Nigerian governors and politicians; no wonder
at every point in time his people in Ekiti State will come out to
stake their lives for him.
“We are telling the people of Ekiti State that they have a son in whom
the Biafrans and IPOB and other pro-Biafra agitators are well pleased.
This is not because he condemned the Federal Government for killing
IPOB, other Biafra and non-Biafra agitators, but because he equally
condemned the killing by Fulani herdsmen in Agatu in Benue and Nimbo in
Enugu States and other states.
“He has equally stood tall in singlehandedly and constructively
criticising the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in all their
irresponsible and anti-Nigeria’s policies when his party members and
other politicians are afraid and become intimidated for fear of being
arrested for one alleged corrupt act or the other,” he said
“We are telling the people of Ekiti State that they have a son in whom
the Biafrans and IPOB and other pro-Biafra agitators are well pleased.
This is not because he condemned the Federal Government for killing
IPOB, other Biafra and non-Biafra agitators, but because he equally
condemned the killing by Fulani herdsmen in Agatu in Benue and Nimbo in
Enugu States and other states.
“He has equally stood tall in singlehandedly and constructively
criticising the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in all their
irresponsible and anti-Nigeria’s policies when his party members and
other politicians are afraid and become intimidated for fear of being
arrested for one alleged corrupt act or the other,” he said.
Reps to investigate killing of agitators
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on
Human Rights, National Security and Intelligence to investigate the
killing of pro-Biafra agitators in the South East.
The resolution to investigate the killing followed a motion moved under
matters of urgent public importance by the Deputy Minority Leader,
Hon. Chukwuma Onyema, and was unanimously adopted by the House.
The House also urged the Executive arm of government to review and
formulate a more efficient mechanism for engaging with aggrieved
Nigerians on matters that threaten the country’s security and
territorial integrity.
Leading the debate on the motion, Onyema expressed worry over the
increasing spate of extrajudicial killings by security agencies in the
country.
He noted that the rights to freedom of association, expression and
peaceful assembly are enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended),
adding that the country’s dismal human rights records are largely
predicated on unprovoked and forceful engagements by security agencies
on unarmed civilians.
The House adopted the motion when the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, put
it on a voice vote and mandated the relevant committees to investigate
the matter and report back to it within two weeks.
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