The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has declared that Nigeria will not last beyond 2019 as a unified entity.
The group in a statement on Monday advised President Muhammadu Buhari and others nursing presidential ambition in 2019 to save their resources for something else as Nigeria would disintegrate before then. In a statement made available to newsmen in Awka, the Anambra State capital by MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, the group said three nations would emerge from Nigeria before 2019.
The statement read, “MASSOB wishes to inform the political gladiators of the Nigerian state that their 2019 political ambitions will not materialise because Nigeria as an entity will not exist beyond the year 2019.
“Before the end of the year 2019 , there will be no more Nigeria as a political entity; there will be newborn nations called Biafra, Oduduwa and Arewa republics.”
MASSOB said it was a painful irony the way Nigeria retained the name given to her by the colonial masters.
It noted that countries such as Gold Coast (Ghana ) Upper Volta (Burkina Faso) and Tanganyika (Tanzania) immediately after their independence changed their names to reflect indigenous content.
The statement added, “We also wish to inform the voluntary and forced citizens of this failed entity called Nigeria that Mohammed Buhari is the last president of this geographical expression called Nigeria.
“As every nation of the universe has its spiritual anchor and stronghold, MASSOB gladly wishes to inform the people of Biafra that the spiritual anchor and stronghold of Nigeria entity has been broken.
“No military might or alliances with Islamic countries will stop the emergence of Biafra soon. MASSOB in collaboration with other pro- Biafra groups in the genuine spirit of Biafra revolution declares that enough is enough.
“The coming together of pro-Biafra groups will multiply our synergies and double our consistent efforts towards Biafra actualisation and restoration through our undying demand and pressure for a referendum that will determine our stake in the Biafran project.”
We’re unstoppable, Biafra struggle beyond brandishing flags –IPOB
Following the presumed failure of the Anambra State election boycott by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the failure of UPP, the victory of Governor Willie Obiano, who had been lampooned to no end by IPOB, not a few persons are of the opinion that the separatist group has been finally shut down.
A few others also believe that the group is intentionally maintaining a low profile while others are convinced that it has severely been degraded, following the last onslaught of Nigeria’s security forces on the group.
But the IPOB, in its usual manner, has dismissed the insinuations as unfounded and largely fallacious. In a chat with our correspondent, the IPOB spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful said, “It baffles me that our people do not understand the IPOB strategies and the fact that it disturbs the Nigerian Government and her Fulani cabals.
Well I can tell you right away that the insinuations are not true my brother and people may think so because they do not know what we are doing and the stage the struggle is now.
“The struggle has been taken to a whole new level, it is no longer about coming out on the streets and making noise, the level now is all about contact and building international support and capacity.
You must also understand one thing that when Nigerian government labelled IPOB a terrorist organisation, America, UK, France and EU responded immediately to the contrary. You should ask yourself why?”
Powerful further said: “We are coming back in a big way, even you will be stunned by what is coming. You are a journalist, you know what is real and what is unreal real.
“The stage of carrying Biafran flag is over until we have date for Biafra referendum.
We are not stopping the quest for the restoration of Biafra and like we said in the past, no man born of a woman can stop our march to Biafra independence. So much is already happening but they cannot see because we are not using arms.
If we were involved in an armed struggle, I would tell you right away that tomorrow or next week that we are going to conquer somewhere but it is not so because our agitation is non-violent.”
The IPOB spokesman however said that those who think that the Biafran struggle or IPOB is no more are making the mistake of their life, adding that soon they will be shaken back to reality. He boasted that the referendum date for Biafra independence is underway and cannot be aborted or stopped by any force of arm.
Biafra: Soldiers gave us human meat as Suya – Sobowale
A veteran journalist and professor of journalism, Idowu Sobowale, has revealed how he and other journalists were served human meat as Suya while covering the events of the civil war.
He said this while calling on people singing war songs to have a rethink, adding that war is not something to joke with.
Sobowale, who also served as a political adviser to a former Lagos State Governor, Lateef Jakande, told Punch how the capital of Anambra State, Awka, was levelled to the ground with no single building standing.
He said, “If you hear people singing war songs, they are most probably people who have never experienced war. Even if you escape, seeing the sufferings of others can be terrifying.
“There was a day when we got to the third marine command and the commander, Benjamin Adekunle, asked if we (journalists) liked Suya, he said we should get into the vehicle and he took us to where Biafra armoured cars had been disabled, with soldiers killed inside them. The place was terribly stinking.
“He said that was the Suya, we should eat. There was also a day we were taken to a small stream that separated the federal troops from the Biafra troops and those people had sharp shooters. The war was so fierce that when we were about to leave, out of the battalion that went, fewer than 20 people came back alive.
“Many had died, many had been so terribly wounded and they were just packed in lorries that brought them to Calabar for treatment. On many occasions, we would be eating and we would just hear gunshot and the soldier or someone else beside you would have been killed.
“That happened several times when we were eating. I had several instances of close shave with death. Let me not say more than that.
One crazy soldier was just coming from behind and he just took a cutlass and split the person ’s head into two just like that.
One crazy soldier was just coming from behind and he just took a cutlass and split the person ’s head into two just like that.
“It was not a pleasant thing to watch or wish for anybody . Look at Awka , the capital of Anambra State, it was levelled to the ground . Not a single house was standing; not one.”
Biafra: What Nnamdi Kanu should do – Gen. Gowon
A former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), has told Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to seek dialogue with the Nigerian Government rather than calling for secession.
Gowon advised Kanu to engage the Federal Government in talks to address issues affecting the South-East, and stop seeking disintegration as it could lead to loss of lives.
The former military leader gave the advice while presenting his paper titled, “Unity in diversity: Responding to the current challenges of nation-building in Nigeria,” at the 2017 Distinguished Annual Lecture of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Jos, Plateau State.
He said, “My young friend, Nnamdi Kanu, was not born during the civil war, which was declared ‘no victor, no vanquished.’
“It is sad to recall what happened at that time; the best way to seek redress is through dialogue.
“Kanu should pursue a healthy conversation on issues he is not comfortable with as it affects his people; this is the only way we can collaborate effectively and have things resolved amicably.”
Gowon also pointed out that the activities of Fulani herdsmen had posed a threat to nation-building.
He, however, asked the Federal Government to address the issue.
Biafra: IPOB to open headquarters in Germany
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has announced that it would on 8th and 9th December launch its headquarters in Langenfeld, Germany.
The group said it became necessary to open headquarters so as to be able to coordinate its activities from across the world.
The group said it became necessary to open headquarters so as to be able to coordinate its activities from across the world.
Emma Powerful, the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary in a press release forwarded to DAILY POST on Thursday, said the public opening of the headquarters would be done by IPOB Deputy Leader, Uche Mefor and all members of the ruling Directorate of State (DOS) on the 8th and 9th of December 2017 in Langenfeld Germany.
The statement partly reads, “Due to increased global awareness generated by the activities of the lPOB and the need to effectively harness the positive attention this has brought on the activities of our movement, we the family members of IPOB and it’s leadership worldwide wish to proudly announce the public opening of our brand new official world administrative headquarters.”
Powerful said the ceremony would demonstrate the commitment and zeal of IPOB to meet the administrative challenges of its renewed diplomatic offensive and demands of the upcoming mid-2018 independence referendum of the territory of Biafra.
“It will also serve as notice to all friends and well wishers of Biafra that Langenfel, Germany is now the one and only officially recognised world headquarters of IPOB from which every authentic information regarding the agitation for Biafra liberation will emanate from.
“The public is hereby warned to desist from corresponding with any other office except the one in Langenfeld, Germany.
“We however must point out that IPOB have official regional liaison offices in London in United Kingdom, Tel Aviv in Israel, Ankara in Turkey, New Delhi in India, Los Angeles, California in USA with many more expected to open in major countries of the world before the last quarter of 2018.
“These offices will continue to serve as regional points of contact but are not authorised to issue any diplomatic directive. That prerogative is the exclusive preserve of the world headquarters in Langenfeld, Germany under the direct supervision of Mazi Chika Edoziem the Head of the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
“Any correspondence from any other quarter not sanctioned by Langenfeld, Germany and signed by Mazi Edoziem should be regarded as fake and inauthentic,” Powerful added.
IPOB said the move was in preparation of an expected referendum, which it said would be conducted next year.
Biafra: Emir Sanusi laments FG’s failure to unite Nigeria after civil war
The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has expressed sadness over the federal government’s failure to unite the nation after the civil war.
He also expressed dismay over the inability of many citizens to acquire a true Nigerian identity many years after independence despite all the measures introduced by successive governments to bring about national unity.
The Emir made this known on Wednesday while addressing principals of Federal Unity Colleges, who paid a courtesy visit on him in his palace.
According to him, Federal Unity Colleges were primarily established to forge national integration and to set academic standard but has fallen short of expectation.
He urged the Federal Government to “take a second look at the education policies and curriculum with a view to making all Secondary Schools in the country conform to the norms of the Federal Unity Colleges, irrespective of the ownership status.”
The monarch, who is an old boy of Kings College, Lagos and one time Vice President of the Old Boys of the College for many years, observed that “it was sad that the aggressive moves by government to unite the nation after the civil war through expansion of the Unity Colleges has not fully achieved the desired result.”
According to him, “every individual has multiple identities of tribe, religion sex etc, but maintained that none of these could stop any person from being a Nigerian.”
Earlier, the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Alhaji Mohammed Karage, who led the principals on the courtesy call, said that they were in Kano for their 2017 Annual General Meeting which is rotated on zonal level.
Biafra: Why Gowon must apologize to Igbos – Bishop Udeh
General Overseer of Mount Zion Faith Global Liberation Ministries, Nnewi Anambra State, Bishop Abraham Chris Udeh, on Tuesday urged former Military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon to apologise to Igbos for the death of children and those starved to death during the civil war.
The clergyman stated that failure to apologise, those “starved to death will continue to dog his way.”
Speaking in Nnewi, Udeh said the former Head of State should help the South East achieve their struggle for Biafra.
He also urged the Federal Government to declare Fulani herdsmen a terrorist group because that was the only way to stop them from incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians.
The clergyman stated that if herdsmen would continue to kill and maim and go scot-free, it shows that a section of the country where IPOB emanated was highly marginalised.
According to Udeh, Gowon owed apologies to the Igbo “for the massacre of millions of Igbo children and those starved to death during the 30 months civil war.
“No amount of repentance will save the General because the cry of Biafran children massacred and those starved to death will continue to dog his way.
“He should ask Igbo to forgive him and make restitution. Additionally, he should help the Igbo in any way he could to get Biafra. That is the only condition that would guarantee his total forgiveness.”
Biafra group blasts Yerima Shettima over comments at Ojukwu’s memorial
Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has reacted to a comments by leader of Coalition of Arewa Youths Forum, Yerima Shettima, at the sixth anniversary of late Dim Chukwuemeka Oduemegwu Ojukwu organised by the members of MASSOB and Biafran Independence Movement (BIM).
BNYL Leader, Princewill Obuka, in a statement also mocked Yerima over the quit notice earlier issued to Igbos residing in the North.
He said: ”Yerima should hide his face in shame, he is an empty vessel that cannot match words with actions.
“Does he feel we were afraid of his quit notice that he is now fanning himself. Is it not stupid of him to attend former Biafra leader memorial after his quit notice to the Igbo?”
Obuka stressed that the threat issued by the Northern coalition had the backing of the Nigerian government, adding that he believes that was why Yerima and others have not been arrested.
“Why won’t he walk freely and insult us in our own land when he has the backing of the Nigerian government”.
BNYL further lambasted Ralph Uwazuruike for allowing Yerima witness Ojukwu’s memorial.
Obuka also wondered why Uwazuruike and his groups (MASSOB, BIM) organised a ”peace summit”.
“What kind of peace does Uwazuruike want? Are we fighting with guns? I saw that as his weakness and an act of cowardice.
Obuka also wondered why Uwazuruike and his groups (MASSOB, BIM) organised a ”peace summit”.
“What kind of peace does Uwazuruike want? Are we fighting with guns? I saw that as his weakness and an act of cowardice.
”He made those guys in the North feel we were moved by their threats of which we were not. Gowon also pointed out that the activities of Fulani herdsmen had posed a threat to nation-building.
He, however, asked the Federal Government to address the issue. Biafra: Nigerian government approached ECOWAS Court to strike out Kanu’s case – IPOB
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has accused the federal government of approaching the Community Court of West Africa (ECOWAS court) to strike out its suit of rights abuses.
The group said it was the reason Its leader, Nnamdi Kanu had jumped bail.
IPOB said it condemns in its totality the new strategy employed by the federal government to ensure that its leader was denied justice, when in the real sense he was being held by the Army.
Mr Emma Powerful, media and publicity secretary of the group in a press release made available to DAILY POST in Awka on Monday, stated that, “Federal Government of Nigeria and her agents, seeking to frustrate the ongoing human rights enforcement process had applied to strike out the matter.”
He said It had become customary for this current APC government to abuse and violate human rights at will and when confronted with their deeds in a competent court of law, they resort to “blackmail, cheap lies, misinformation and sometimes inducing a certain sections of the media to help them sway public opinion against victims of their cruel regime.
“Instead of addressing the substance of the charges against them before ECOWAS Court for nearly two years now, they chose instead their favorite method of trial by media and senseless smear campaign.
“The case of abuse of fundamental human rights by the Buhari regime brought by the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the ECOWAS Court has been pending for two years, with the government employing all manner of delay tactics to frustrate the case. Now they are holding Nnamdi Kanu in their custody, having denied such publicly, they have finally woken up to ask the court to dismiss the charges against them after sanctioning and conducting the kidnapping raid in Afaraukwu on the 14th of September 2017.
“It will be fair to assume, going by the antics of this government, that their primary reason for the murderous raid on the home of the IPOB leader, was to remove him from circulation and truncate all legal matters involving him.
“The government think their plans will remain undetected forever but they are mistaken. Why didn’t the Buhari regime bother to attend ECOWAS Court throughout the period Nnamdi Kanu was out on bail or in prison?”
Powerful said that the group has said uncovered that the abduction of Kanu in September was deliberate so as to stop him from appearing in court in October, so that he would be labelled as having jumped bail.
“You remember that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu went to Ohafia to announce publicly he’d be attending court on the 17th of October 2017 with 2 million men, the powers that be raided his house and abducted him because they did not want him to appear in court,” Powerful stated.
Biafra: Respect your old age – BNYL warns Lai Mohammed over comments on IPOB
Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has cautioned Minister of information, Lai Mohammed, over his comments that IPOB is dead.
The group warned that such declaration could lead to provocation in the South East and South South regions.
Mohammed had told newsmen that “the large turnout witnessed during the election has sounded the death knell on IPOB.
“I think what that proved really is that IPOB does not represent the good people of Anambra or any state in the South East.
“If truly they represented the people, the IPOB propaganda about the election really showed that they are not on ground.”
Reacting, BNYL Leader, Princewill Obuka, said “That old man does not know how determined the Biafrans are. He saw what happened during military raid.”
“Such resistance should have told them that Biafrans, if armed, would really consume Nigeria like Kanu was saying.
“He should respect his old age and turn attention to Boko Haram and Shiites”.
However, the group added that its ongoing grassroots engagements have been extended to various parts of Cross River.
“We have engaged mostly community youth leaders and even some community leaders in towns like Obudu, Bekwara, Ikom, and almost all the towns in Bakassi including ceded areas.
“What we have not done within the Cross River axis is meeting the paramount rulers but plans are on ground.
“In Rivers State we are organising a similar internal grassroots referendum programs in Ekpeye land of Ahoada East like we did in some towns in Akwa Ibom on the day we all stormed Onna to mark the death of our late leader, General Philip Effiong”.
Obuka added that the group is not inciting violence at the grassroots but detailing the people on progress of the Biafra struggle.
“We are doing what is expected of us. Our people have every right to know what is going on outside the grassroots.
“In places like Obanliku and Boki, there is poor network and people are anxious to know what is going on. We receive distress calls and complaints everyday from that part.
“We owe our people explanations, and much more engagements, which is why we initiated the internal referendum activities. In fact, many have built confidence on us and going back on Biafra independence pursuit will be difficult for us”.
Biafra: Respect your old age – BNYL warns Lai Mohammed over comments on IPOB
Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has cautioned Minister of information, Lai Mohammed, over his comments that IPOB is dead.
The group warned that such declaration could lead to provocation in the South East and South South regions.
Mohammed had told newsmen that “the large turnout witnessed during the election has sounded the death knell on IPOB.
“I think what that proved really is that IPOB does not represent the good people of Anambra or any state in the South East.
“If truly they represented the people, the IPOB propaganda about the election really showed that they are not on ground.”
Reacting, BNYL Leader, Princewill Obuka, said “That old man does not know how determined the Biafrans are. He saw what happened during military raid.”
“Such resistance should have told them that Biafrans, if armed, would really consume Nigeria like Kanu was saying.
“He should respect his old age and turn attention to Boko Haram and Shiites”.
However, the group added that its ongoing grassroots engagements have been extended to various parts of Cross River.
“We have engaged mostly community youth leaders and even some community leaders in towns like Obudu, Bekwara, Ikom, and almost all the towns in Bakassi including ceded areas.
“What we have not done within the Cross River axis is meeting the paramount rulers but plans are on ground.
“In Rivers State we are organising a similar internal grassroots referendum programs in Ekpeye land of Ahoada East like we did in some towns in Akwa Ibom on the day we all stormed Onna to mark the death of our late leader, General Philip Effiong”.
Obuka added that the group is not inciting violence at the grassroots but detailing the people on progress of the Biafra struggle.
“We are doing what is expected of us. Our people have every right to know what is going on outside the grassroots.
“In places like Obanliku and Boki, there is poor network and people are anxious to know what is going on. We receive distress calls and complaints everyday from that part.
“We owe our people explanations, and much more engagements, which is why we initiated the internal referendum activities. In fact, many have built confidence on us and going back on Biafra independence pursuit will be difficult for us”.
Biafra: IPOB ‘new leader’, Okwudili reveals Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts
The new acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Ezenachukwu Okwudili, on Tuesday disclosed the whereabouts of Nnamdi Kanu.
Okwudili claimed that the fugitive ex-leader of the pro-Biafra group fled to London using his British passport.
In a broadcast on Radio Biafra, Okwudili said, “Those who benefited from inciting young Igbo youth to violence and death, the time of reckoning has come.”
“We are putting an end to blood-shed while continuing with our struggle. Kanu has fled to London using his British passport and he is hiding after our successful takeover of the Radio and IPOB Leadership.”
The radio broadcast also accused Law Mefor, the brother of Uche Mefor, Kanu’s former deputy, of collecting money from Igbo traders and businessmen as under the pretence of being IPOB’s treasurer and converting same into his personal use.
He said, “Those who live by the sword know the final judgment, therefore people like Uche Mefor and his brother Mr Law Mefor along with Emma Powerful, should know that like the Robert Mugabe era, the Nnamdi Kanu era has come to an end.
“The time when rabble-rousers loot IPOB treasury, share it with their family and friends has come and gone.
“Money collected so far is in excess of N300million Naira and we are still counting as information about contributors continue to trickle in”.
Biafra: ECOWAS court rubbishes Nigerian govt over Nnamdi Kanu
The Economic Community of West African States’ court has berated the Nigerian Government for always filing fresh motions in a bid to frustrate a fundamental right enforcement suit filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
The regional court described the action of the Nigerian Government as unacceptable.
Speaking during today’s hearing, one of the judges on the three-man panel, Justice Alioune Sall said they were not in a Nigerian court but an international court which has a different way and “the process of bringing new documents every day is not allowed here.”
Sall said this after Kanu’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor told the court that it had scheduled today’s sitting for definite hearing. Ejiofor said, however, “two days ago, my attention was drawn to a new process filed by the Federal Government challenging the authority of the court to hear the case.”
Describing the process filed by the Federal Government as baseless, Kanu’s counsel alleged that the purpose was to truncate today’s hearing.
“We want the matter to be heard speedily as the court had earlier ordered. But we are sure they (FG) do not have any defence for the substantial suit hence the reason they filed this new process to truncate the day’s hearing,” he said.
Ejiofor prayed the court to give them a short date to respond to the application. He also asked the court to award a punitive cost of N10 million against the FG.
Reacting to Ejiofor’s prayer, Federal Government’s counsel, Maimuna Lami Shiru, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, said they filed the application because the court had earlier asked for the issue to be addressed when new facts arise.
Shiru explained that the application filed on November 14 was to bring to the attention of the court that the IPOB had been proscribed by the government.
She consequently urged the court to discountenance Ejiofor’s prayer of N10million cost against the government.
After listening to both arguments, the three-man panel led by Justice Hameye Foune Mahalmadane thereafter adjourned the matter to February 7, 2018.
Biafra: Compel Buratai to produce Nnamdi Kanu, pay me N10m compensation – Senator Abaribe begs court
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has prayed an Abuja Federal High Court to compel the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai to pay him the sum of N10m as damages for the psychological trauma he is subjected to in the cause of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB’s, trial.
Abaribe made the appeal in an application before the Justice Binta Nyako-led court.
He also prayed the court to compel the Army Chief to either produce Kanu or pay the N10m bail bond attached to his release.
Abaribe who is one of those standing surety for the elusive IPOB leader also prayed the court to order Buratai to offset all expenses he incurred in the cause of Kanu’s trial.
The court had earlier adjourned Kanu’s trial till December 5, 2017 over the absence of the trial judge, Binta Nyako.
Also, Justice Nyako had on October 17, ordered that Abaribe and the other sureties appear before her to show cause why a bench warrant of arrest should not be granted against them.
Biafra group unveils new strategy to boost struggle, engages IPOB, BIM
Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has expressed confidence that the struggle for Biafra will be fruitful.
BNYL Leader, Princewill Obuka, in a statement on Sunday said the group will soon commence talks with leaders of other pro-Biafra movements.
He disclosed that his Deputy, Ebuta Ogar Takon, will lead the engagements.
Obuka said the position of BNYL and its agenda towards actualizing Biafra will be presented to others after an executive congress coming up in Bakassi.
He noted, “Following our ongoing internal referendum activities, we have decided that we need a clear direction towards achieving our targets as an organization and our aim of a free Biafra in general.
“My second, in the person of Ebuta Takon is currently on this. After that we will present our position to other pro Biafra leaders”.
Obuka disclosed that the group was currently working towards a proposal made to it last November by the delegation sent by the President of South East Elders Council, Chief Dozie Ikedife, on behalf of the Council of Elders of IPOB.
He hailed Ikedife for being the outspoken elder in the struggle for Biafra.
“We are communicating with every pro Biafra leadership. We will also engage Chief Ralph Uwazuruike-led BIM to get details of their 21-point agenda.
“We are interacting with the Kanu-led IPOB leadership as well”, the statement added.
Biafra: Ex-Minister, Tony Momoh lists Nnamdi Kanu’s failures
A former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, has identified areas leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, failed.
Momoh, who said he was never at any time against the agitations against injustice, pointed out that Kanu failed when he set up Biafra Secret Service, started searching cars and bringing down people from other parts of the country.
The ex-Minister who spoke with Sun, said Nigeria was heading to war and collapse but for the timely intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts have remained unknown since about two months ago the military invaded his Afaraukwu home in Umuahia, Abia State.
Momoh said, “I believe in what any group does as a response to its perception of what is considered as injustice. But when you go to the extent Kanu went, it becomes another thing.
“He went and initiated what he called Biafra secret service and hosting Biafra flag all over the place. Not only that, they went to the point of searching vehicles and bringing down people from other parts of the country.
“Do you know if there is any person who must fight to keep Nigeria one, it’s Igbo.
“The Igbo are the commercial engine of Nigeria whether you like it or not. There is no place in Nigeria the Igbo are not in charge of commerce. If anybody is to fight for the unity of Nigeria, it’s Igbo. I have most of my friends in Igbo land because I went to the University of Nsukka.
“And I am saying it without fear of contradiction that Igbo are more at home in Nigeria generally than their home states because there are no two communities in Igbo land where they are no quarrels over land.
“So, if you have more than 15 million Igbo wanting to leave Nigeria to go to the East, where will they stay? The Igbo are ruling Nigeria commercially.
“And Nigerians know the worth of the Igbo. The Northerners are feeding Nigeria. More than 75 per cent of the protein need of Nigeria comes from the North. The Yoruba are the corporate leaders in Nigeria. All these things are division of labour.
“Most of the accountants in federal service come from the South-west. The money is handled by the South-west. The commerce is handled by the South-east. The growing of food is handled by the North generally.
“Do you know what would have happened, if the action taken against IPOB was not taken? Do you know the agitation that was in the North? Do you know what happened in Jos? I am the pro chancellor of the University of Jos.
“A Marcopollo Bus was coming and because of what they heard was happening to the Northerners in the East, they wanted to pounce on the bus. The bus ran into the University of Jos and everybody came out and ran for their lives. One of my students died, many were injured.
“People were reacting to what they said IPOB was doing in the South-east. If it had spread to other parts of the country, do you know what it could have meant?
“More than 50 per cent of houses in Abuja here belong to Igbo. In Kaduna, major investments belong to Igbo. There was no responsible Igbo man who supported what IPOB was doing.
“I understand their agitation. But the enthusiasms may run riot when you think you have a point and nobody is responsible enough to check you. What happened with IPOB was a saving grace for Nigeria.
“And I praise the president for that. If reaction had taken place, by now, Nigeria would have collapsed because of mass movement of people from one part of the country to the other.”
Anambra guber: Biafra group warns Nigerian military, police, others
Ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Anambra, Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has warned the Nigerian military, police and other security agencies to avoid unprofessional acts.
It said any form of interference or collusion to favour one party or candidate over others may attract consequences from the electorate.
BNYL Leader, Princewill Obuka, gave the warning in a statement Friday evening.
He advised the Nigerian government not to use federal might during the election, adding that such may result to serious crises.
He pointed out that the situation seemed under control despite directive by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to its members and followers to remain indoor.
“Nigerian Military and other security agencies deployed to the Anambra from must know the consequences of any unprofessional act.
“Unnecessary intimidation can lead to provocations, our people must not be killed on any slight mistake”, he said.
BNYL, however, noted that it had engaged its own officials in the state to isolate themselves from anything that may cause violence.
The group appealed to other Biafra supporters in the Anambra to maintain peace and allow the exercise hold successfully.
Biafra: Why I cannot produce Kanu – Buratai tells court
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Thursday, asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to trash a suit seeking to compel him to produce the ‘missing’ leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.
A team of lawyers representing the embattled pro-Biafra agitator had in the suit, prayed the court to order Buratai to produce their client either dead or alive.
The lawyers who were led by Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, told the court that they had not seen or heard from their client since September 14 when the Nigerian Army invaded his house “on a murderous raid, where life and mortar bullets were fired on unarmed and defenceless populace, leaving 28 persons dead and abducting many”.
Pursuant to section 40 of the Federal High Court Act, F12, LFN 2005 and section 6(6) (1) (4) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, Kanu’s lawyers applied for “an order of Habeas Corpus ad subjiciendum, commanding the Respondent (Buratai), to produce the Applicant in Court”.
DO NOT MISS : BB" & MASSOB News Today , Set 22, 2017
However, in a counter-affidavit he filed in opposition to the suit, Buratai told the court that Kanu was never in custody of the Nigeria Army.
He maintained that contrary to claims in the suit, soldiers who were deployed to the South-East for ‘Operation Python Dance II, did not have any contact whatsoever with Kanu on September 12 or 14, or anytime thereafter as alleged.
The counter-affidavit read in part, “That the applicant (Kanu) is not and has never been in his custody or in the custody of any person, officer or institution receiving instruction directly or indirectly from him.
“That the applicant was not at any time whatsoever arrested, taken into custody or detained by the Officers and men of the Nigerian Army.
“That the officers and men of the Nigerian Army did not have any contact whatsoever or confrontation or any operational engagement with the applicant on September 12 or 14, 20l7 or any other date thereafter, contrary to the allegations in the affidavit in support of the application.
“That the allegation of invasion of the South-Eastern part of Nigeria by officers and men of the Nigerian Army, especially the applicant’s home and or residence is totally false.”
He told the court that during “a peaceful movement” that formed part of Operation Python Dance II, soldiers, on September 14, pursued a truck loaded with arms and ammunition into a compound which was identified in the suit as jointly owned by Kanu and his father.
He alleged that the fleeing truck and its occupants ran over Army barricade and defied soldiers’ order stopping them to be searched.
“That while on a peaceful movement on the said September 14, 2017, the soldiers randomly conducted stop-and-search operations as are necessary and it was during one of such exercises in Umuahia, Abia State, that it flagged down a truck, which as it turned out later, was loaded with arms and ammunitions of varying degrees and descriptions.
“Rather than comply with the stop order, the driver and other occupants of the truck recklessly ran over the barricade mounted on the road by the soldiers and sped off, whereupon the soldiers at the point gave a hot chase and called for reinforcement to enable them pursue and arrest the fleeing vehicle. The soldiers did not fire any shot at the fleeing truck in order to prevent the loss of lives.
“That the truck loaded with the arms and ammunition was pursued into a compound which has now been described in this application as belonging to and under the control of the applicant (Kanu) and his father.
“That it was the legitimate attempt by the officers and men of the Nigerian Army to arrest the fleeing occupants of the truck and impound the truck that precipitated the deliberate igniting of the ammunition in the truck by persons now believed to be IPOB members.
“That the act of the IPOB members resulted in sporadic explosions within the said applicant’s compound”, the affidavit further stated.
“Throughout the duration of the Operation Python Dance II, officers and men of the Nigerian Army obeyed the Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct to the letter as there was no reported case of indiscriminate shooting, unlawful arrest, detention or torture, contrary to the wild, bland, untrue, incorrect, bogus and insipid allegations contained in or oozed out in the affidavit of Prince Mandela Umegborogu Esq.
“The allegations of firing of live bullets on the applicant’s relatives, killing of scores of persons, wounding and arrest of many, attack and invasion of applicant’s home, barricade at Isialangwa, arrest and torture of civilians by officers and me of the Nigerian Army, as stated by the deponent, are a figment of his imagination as same are not true.”
Biafra: BNYL explodes over Buhari’s speech
Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has frowned at President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech in township Stadium, Ebonyi State, yesterday.
Buhari had urged Igbos to ignore secession clamour by pro Biafra agitators.
In a statement on Thursday , BNYL leader, Princewill Obuka, lashed at the nation’s leader for declaring that the struggle for Biafra is built on propaganda.
Obuka said the President’s visit to the South East region is political and has nothing to do with the welfare of the people and development of the region.
He recalled Buhari’s visit to Cross River State where he declared emergency on Ogoja/Ikom/Calabar superhighways, lamenting that nothing has been done.
“This is two years and some months he assumed leadership of Nigeria. He never visited the region, he has never commissioned any reasonable projects.
“Instead he focuses on the north and we are seeing the level of what he has done for them, his visit is not in our interest but for his political interest.
”We are tired of the deceit from Nigerian government. It is no longer new that they will come and promise us second Niger Bridge, Superhighways, even heaven and earth all lies”.
Emeka Ojukwu, Bianca are betrayers – Biafra Youth League
Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has declared Emeka jnr and Bianca, son and widow of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, respectively, as “betrayers”
This is contained in a statement on Thursday by BNYL leader, Princewill Obuka.
Reacting to the defection of Emeka Ojukwu to the APC, Obuka stated that,”there is no sense in panicking”.
“Politics and independence movement are political activities but in two different categories, it doesn’t affect the struggle. Emeka jnr does not command respect among Igbos, neither do we look up to him.
”Ojukwu had many children; in all there must be bad egg for sure.
“But I think Debe Ojukwu the eldest among Ojukwu’s children has exhibited more maturity in identifying with the Biafran cause being on the legal side of the struggle as the lead counsel of Bilie Human Rights Initiative, and member of the Ikedife led IPOB Council of Elders.
”Even though he has his own political affiliation, we see him as someone who still respect what his father fought and lived for before he died”.
Continuing, the BNYL leader said the wife of Ojukwu, Bianca, also betrayed her husband immediately after his death by accepting appointment from Nigerian government as ambassador to Spain.
“In Igbo culture, when your husband dies, the respect you owe him is ‘Igba Mkpe’ (mourning mood) for couple of months, in that period you will avoid certain things, but she hurriedly accepted Jonathan’s appointment”.
Obuka, however, urged pro Biafra agitators to emulate the late literary icon, Chinua Achebe, who rejected appointment and awards from Nigerian government.
He said even in death, Achebe deserves commendation for “documenting his grievances in a novel titled ,’There was a country”.
Biafra: Keyamo mocks IPOB over Nnamdi Kanu’s sack
Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo has taunted the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, over its announcement that it had sacked Nnamdi Kanu as director of Radio Biafra.
Keyamo wondered why IPOB, who had alleged that Kanu was killed by Nigerian army, was still announcing his removal ‘in the grave’.
DAILY POST reports that Radio Biafra upon resumption on Monday announced through one Ifeoma Okorafor that the radio was restructuring.
DAILY POST reports that Radio Biafra upon resumption on Monday announced through one Ifeoma Okorafor that the radio was restructuring.
She announced that, “Mazi Nnamdi Nwanekaenyi Kanu, the former Director of Radio Biafra is hereby dismissed and removed as Director of Radio Biafra following extensive and intensive consultations”
“Kanu’s actions and his decisions to incite members of IPOB towards violence leading to the death of many innocent young people in Onitsha, Aba and Umuahia is totally unacceptable and grossly irresponsible.
“Kanu privately collected £14 million and another $22 million to purchase landed properties abroad in his name and that of his father, Igwe Israel Kanu, in a clear case of ‘monkey dey work baboon dey chop’.”
“Kanu privately collected £14 million and another $22 million to purchase landed properties abroad in his name and that of his father, Igwe Israel Kanu, in a clear case of ‘monkey dey work baboon dey chop’.”
Reacting, however, Keyamo rhetorically asked if Biafra was now a zoo.
He tweeted, “So, after IPOB earlier claimed the Army killed Kanu, did they wake him from d grave to ask him questions over allegations against him before sacking him as their leader? Or did they sack him without hearing from him? Would that not be the style of animals in a zoo? Is Biafra now a zoo?”
Nnamdi Kanu sacked as IPOB leader, Director of Radio Biafra
The international media arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Radio Biafra, has resumed operations.
But instead of the fiery rhetoric with which it was associated with, the radio announced the sack of Nnamdi Kanu, as director and leader of IPOB.
The Radio Biafra’s programme started between 6am -7am on Sunday with the lady announcer, who gave her name as Ifeoma Okorafor, stating that the radio was restructuring.
Then the shocking announcement that “Mazi Nnamdi Nwanekaenyi Kanu, the former Director of Radio Biafra is hereby dismissed and removed as Director of Radio Biafra following extensive and intensive consultations”
According to Okorafor, one “Mazi Ezenwachukwu Sampson Okwudili is Kanu’s replacement.”
She reeled out reasons why Kanu was removed to include: “Personalisation of the Biafran struggle and derailing from the core objectives of IPOB as a grassroots movement.
“Kanu’s actions and his decisions to incite members of IPOB towards violence leading to the death of many innocent young people in Onitsha, Aba and Umuahia is totally unacceptable and grossly irresponsible.
“Kanu privately collected £14 million and another $22 million to purchase landed properties abroad in his name and that of his father, Igwe Israel Kanu, in a clear case of ‘monkey dey work baboon dey chop’.
“Kanu turned our collective struggle into a money-making enterprise for himself and his father. Thus the monies contributed by enterprising and hard-working Igbo youths across the world are being collected and converted by one man and his father while pretending to be sacrificing for the cause.
“Upon his release from detention in April 2017, one expected Kanu to drum up support for the release of his colleagues and co-detainees such as Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi. These are our brothers who were arrested at the same time with him and they should not be forgotten. We hereby demand their release. Kanu, since his release, has never spoken about them or appealed for the release of these our freedom fighters. Instead, he has been going about collecting chieftaincy titles and having a messianic swagger that even allowed full-blooded Igbo men to kneel down and kiss his feet.
“Kanu threw away the original meaning of our collective struggle for personal gain and vain glorification. IPOB believes in democracy as a solid base of any modern state, the rule of law, and will always reject violence in all its ramifications.”
Daily Independent Newspaper reports that there was a mixture of excitement and confusion within Nigeria security circles as a result of this new development in IPOB as security agencies do not know what to make of this.
The sack of Kanu is only the latest change in the checkered history of Radio Biafra, which began as the mouthpiece of MASSOB.
Biafra: Buhari won’t return alive in his visit to South East – IPOB threatens
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Monday warned President Muhammadu Buhari against his planned visit to the South East.
Barring any last minute change, Buhari is expected to visit Ebonyi through Enugu on November 14, 2017 and Anambra on November 15.
Reacting to the planned visit, IPOB warned that the said date will be “recorded in history as a very bloody day should that Jubril masquerading as Buhari attempt to land on Biafran soil.”
The pro-Biafra group also said Ohanaeze and South East governors should be responsible to bear the consequences of their attack on the president.
In a statement signed and sent to DAILY POST by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB warned that “we will die with him should he set his foot on the sacred land of Biafra. HE WILL NOT GO BACK ALIVE.”
IPOB claimed that Buhari was responsible for the death of its members at “Enugu, Nkpor, Igweocha, Aba, Onitsha and lastly Umuahia.”
The statement reads, “It is with a heavy heart and grave sense of responsibility that we IPOB worldwide under the supreme command Of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu announce to the world, that those who are completely committed to provoking bloodshed in our land may have finally succeeded. The consequences of any fallout from the visit of the impostor Jubril to Ebonyi State will rest squarely on the head of Chief John Nnia Nwodo, Gov. Dave Umahi, Rochas Okorocha and the rest of South East governors.
“Bringing this version of ‘Buhari’ to insult the memory of those killed at Enugu, Nkpor, Igweocha, Aba, Onitsha and lastly Umuahia will not be tolerated by IPOB and every right thinking Biafran for that matter. This is tantamount to an Israeli politician inviting Adolf Hitler to visit Jerusalem to mock the Jews he slaughtered in Concentration Camps during the holocaust.
“Tuesday 14th November 2017 will be recorded in history as a very bloody day should that Jubril masquerading as Buhari attempt to land on Biafran soil.
“We have remained passive and peaceful but it appears that Hausa Fulani slave politicians in Igboland are hell bent on provoking us to become violent. Whoever advised Ohaneze Ndigbo and Igbo governors to embark on this suicide mission does not wish them well.
“We would like to use this opportunity to call on the Sudanese government to come and return their citizen Jubril, who for months now have been fraudulently and deceptively been parading himself as the hated late dictator Muhammadu Buhari, when in actual fact he is not. That notwithstanding, given that this Jubril have now assumed the persona of the arch gemocidist Muhammadu Buhari, we shall treat him like Buhari.
“Reason this man, in whose name Operation Python Dance was ordered; an operation that swallowed 91 of our brethren, is visiting Ebonyi state through Enugu airport is best known to Chief John Nnia Nwodo and Gov. Dave Umahi. The impression of a defeated and conquered people being portrayed by the present OHANEZE leadership in concert with the governors of the South East is most troubling at this period in our history.
“For those that claim to be intellectual elites, their palpable lack of a sense of history showcases their ignorance at every turn. They are planning to welcome a man in the name Buhari, a name that is responsible for the worst war crimes and genocide in recent times against our people. The only atrocity left, for the likes of Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi, is for Biafraland to be transformed into a giant estate of the Fulani caliphate, with small labour camps owned by their Emirs, with Biafrans as their labouring slaves.
“Our message is short and simple. JUBRIL a.k.a Muhammadu Buhari will be exposed to the world as the impostor he is by making sure he never goes back alive. We will die with him should he set his foot on the sacred land of Biafra. HE WILL NOT GO BACK ALIVE. He is coming to mock us and to urinate on the graves of our 91 brethren his Operation Python Dance killed in Abia State. He is coming to show us that power belongs to the North and their slaves like Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi are in charge over their conquered territory and defeated people of Biafra. He has come to tell us we are forever slaves of his Islamic caliphate.”
”All those who plotted this visit will pay dearly. When the time comes their Northern masters will not be around to save them. We see them coming but they will not see us when the time for vengeance comes. Those who are hoping to welcome Buhari to Biafraland will suffer miserably. There will be no forgiveness.
”We have tried for years to avoid bloodshed, but our enemies have finally provoked us beyond measure. That Nnia Nwodo and Dave Umahi saw it fit to bring this Fulani hater of Igbos from Daura into our land to mock us proves that they are the problem of our people not the solution. We are going to perish together with this ‘Buhari’. It’s a promise.
Biafra: Fani-Kayode speaks on Nnamdi Kanu’s whereabouts
Femi Fani-Kayode, on Sunday insisted that the Nigerian Army kidnapped the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu from his home.
However, Fani-Kayode, who took to his Twitter handle described the actions of soldiers, who allegedly “abducted” Kanu as “heartless and unacceptable.”
He wrote: “IPOB leader Nnamdi Nnamdi’s home was attacked, his staff, friends and supporters were slaughtered, his siblings were maimed, his parents were brutalised, his dogs were shot, his cars were burnt and he was abducted by the Nigerian Army. This is heartless and unacceptable.”
Recall that Kanu has neither been seen or heard from since his Umuahia residence was allegedly invaded by soldiers on September 14.
Following his disappearance, the Nigerian Army had severally denied having the pro-Biafra agitator in their custody.
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