IPOB : Do Not Become Friends With Northern Politicians, IPOB Warns

The IPOB grouped issued the warning on the people “romancing with Arewa politicians.IPOB has warned Igbo politicians against the romancing with the Arewa politicians for the 2019 general elections, IPOB gave the warning yesterday that such moves will not be taken lightly with persons or group of person who becomes a friend to any Northerner’s politicians.The group said that those doing such things are not shameful and that their acts will not make their “oppressor love them, according to them “duplicitous character will never endear them to the oppressor.”

The statement was released to journalists yesterday by Emma Powerful The detention and deaths of some members of BIM, were also condemned by IPOB during the meeting The blames were shifted to the governors of South East states and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the detention and killings of BIM members.They claimed that killings of Ohanaeze Ndigbo group were not new things hence the silence of Ohanaeze Ndigob and the governors of the recent misfortune that befell the group. He said: “There remains only two constituencies to blame for this and they are Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo governors. Their repeated silence over the slaughter of their own people makes them accomplices.“Those agitators romancing with Arewa politicians by night, but jump up during the day to shout Biafra must cover their faces in shame. Their duplicitous character will never endear them to the oppressor.“We are asking the Nigerian government to focus its military hardware and fire power on Fulani terror herdsmen in Benue and other Northern terrorist groups active in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.http://joinmysfiteam.com/17765019“The senseless killings of unarmed Biafra agitators must stop because it will only breed more diehard activists that may choose to abandon the non-violence stance of IPOB. One day, violence will surely beget violence if this ongoing anti-Biafra persecution is not stopped.”

IPOB warns agitators allegedly ‘romancing Arewa politicians’

IPOB said those involved in the act should cover their heads in shame as their “duplicitous character will never endear them to the oppressor.”The group stated this in a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, yesterday.The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has cautioned agitators “romancing with Arewa politicians.”The group stated this in a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, yesterday.IPOB also condemned the alleged death and detention of some members of Biafra Independence Movement, BIM, during a gathering.It blamed the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and South East governors for the development.IPOB noted that the silence of Ohanaeze and Igbo governors on the issue was an indication that killing members of pro-Biafra groups had become a routine.He said: “There remains only two constituencies to blame for this and they are Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo governors. Their repeated silence over the slaughter of their own people makes them accomplices.“Those agitators romancing with Arewa politicians by night, but jump up during the day to shout Biafra must cover their faces in shame. Their duplicitous character will never endear them to the oppressor.http://sfi4.com/17765019/reca“We are asking the Nigerian government to focus its military hardware and fire power on Fulani terror herdsmen in Benue and other Northern terrorist groups active in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.The senseless killings of unarmed Biafra agitators must stop because it will only breed more diehard activists that may choose to abandon the non-violence stance of IPOB. One day, violence will surely beget violence if this ongoing anti-Biafra persecution is not stopped.”

Police dislodge MASSOB/BIM members in Delta

Operatives of the Delta State police command, on Tuesday, dislodged members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) who had gathered at Oko, near Asaba to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Biafra as declared by Ralph Uwazuruike.The event was a combined celebration by Delta north and south followers of the group. They had barely gathered to perform the rites when the police team arrived in seven hilux vans, searching for the peaceful agitators.But the group quickly beat a tactical withdrawal and retreating back into their shells. Leaders of the group including Joseph C. Odikpo, Emeka Okafor, Chinedu Amaifeobu and Chike Mbaeyi, and hundred others scampered for safety when police mobilized to the area.Speaking, Odikpo flayed the dangerous dimension the occasion was about to assume, wondering whysecurity operatives hijacked the event to give it a violent colouration.Odikpo lamented the inhuman treatment being meted on the Zonal Commander of Security of the group in the state, Mr. Ignatius Adili-Ajana, at the yard of the Department of Security Service (DSS) in Akwa, was unwarranted.He said since the constitution of Nigeria permits a child to ask for freedom after 18 years, he appealed to the Federal Government to stop using military apparatus to beat drums of war, desist from tagging the group terrorists but adhere to the submissions of the United Nations.Okafor on his part, said since the group’s ability had sustained the agitation for 18 years without asking for the abolition of the Federal Government of Nigeria, its agents should allow freedom, justice and peace to reign.“The agitation is extremely non-violent. If not that we applied a tactical withdrawal, the celebration would have taken a bloody measure. Police should stop intimidating us with firearms when the only weapon we are carrying is our uniform and flag,” Okafor said.

Over 100 arrested as security agencies disrupt MASSOB rallies in South-east, Rivers

The rally was called by the Ralph Uwazuruike-led faction of MASSOB to celebrate the rededication of Biafra by Mr Uwazuruike in Aba, Abia State on May 22, 2000.Hundreds of members of the Igbo separatist group, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB), celebrating ‘Biafra Day’ were arrested across the states in the South-east as well as Rivers State by security agencies on Tuesday.However, a leader of a different MASSOB faction, Uchenna Madu, had disagreed with the Uwazuruike faction on the actual date for the celebration of ‘Biafra Day’.While Uwazuruike faction chose May 22 for its own celebration, the Madu faction insisted that ‘Biafra Day’ be celebrated on May 30; marking the 51st anniversary of declaration of Biafra by late Odumegwu Ojukwu.Nevertheless, the Uwazuruike faction pressed on with the celebration as it planned peaceful marches to commemorate the day in the five South-east states which are predominantly Igbo, as well as in Rivers State.But security agencies in joint operations swooped in on them in the various states, arresting scores of people.In Imo, at least 50 members of the group were detained at the Imo State police headquarters, Owerri, following their arrest by the authorities,  gathered.They were arrested along the popular Wetheral road, in Owerri, the state capital as they were coming in from neighbouring Abia State.They were displaying Biafra insignia and chanting anti-Nigerian songs.Journalists waited for hours for a scheduled press conference and parade of the arrested separatists.But the State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, later announced the postponement of the said event citing the absence of other sister security agencies, who took part in the joint operation as his reason. city of Aba, Abia State, over 50 members of the group were also nabbed by security agencies at Osisioma Ngwa junction along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway when police patrol teams fired tear gas at the protesters.The MASSOB leader for Abia South zone, Fred Onyenaucheya, condemned the arrest of his members.He said despite the arrests and intimidation, they will not be deterred or cowed.“MASSOB is a non-violent organisation. We are shocked that police could tear gas and arrest our members who were only celebrating the rededication of the new Biafra. As at now ,over 20 of our members are receiving medical attention for injuries they sustained during the police attack . Even our female members were not spared. We have about 50 MASSOB members arrested by the police.“This is a grave infringement of our right to freedom of movement. But we assure the Nigerian government that no arrest,detention or any other form of intimidation will stop us from actualising an independent state of Biafra,” he said.He called on the police to immediately release and apologise to the detained MASSOB members as they did not commit any crime.In Rivers State, South-south Nigeria, over 10 members of the organisation were arrested by security agents.This is even as hundreds of members of the group took part in the celebrations in Port Harcourt, the state capital.The pro-Biafra agitators had commenced the procession at Mile Market in Port Harcourt, and headed towards Eleme junction before they were intercepted around Garrison junction.The security agents intercepted them and shot tear gas canisters at them in a bid to disperse the crowd. Those arrested were said to be wearing the camouflage of security outfits especially those of the civil defence.The MASSOB leader in the state, Solomon Chukwu, in his speech during the protest, said: “I am not happy about the development. I met the security people and told them what we are doing, that we are not violent. But, they asked us to close and go. They did not give us chance to go.“They arrested our people on uniform. Our coming out is not that we took them unawares. They are aware. We are meant to go to Eleme Junction. But, because of their action, we stopped here at Garrison. We will follow up the people they have arrested to secure their release.“I am calling on the federal government that MASSOB is non-violent and we are a registered organisation. We are shocked that they decided to treat us like this.”Also, one of the MASSOB members, Anthony Azukem, said the essence of the rally was to reawaken the call for the creation of the Biafran State.“The rally this morning is to mark our 18 years of existence, after it was formed in year 2000 by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike. The call for the reawakening of the call for the creation of Biafra State is part of the reason for this rally.”The police in Ebonyi State assisted by other security agencies in the morning forcefully disrupted a protest by MASSOB in Abakaliki, the state capital.The separatists were on a peaceful march round major streets of the city when they were tear-gassed and some arrested.The group had earlier announced the protest through the media and social media channels in the country. It said the march is to commemorate the declaration of Biafran Republic by its leader, Ralph Uwazuruike.But, security agencies in the state accosted them along Nkaliki road as they started the march, sprayed tear gas and arrested some of them, it was gathered.The police were joined in the operation by the army and the State Security Service,  learnt.The Commander of Nigerian Millitary Cantonment in Nkwegu, S. O. Sadiq, confirmed the participation of the army in the incident and arrests. He said the arrested persons were handed over to the police.He stressed that MASSOB did not notify security agencies in the state of the event in writing which necessitated the action to stop the march.The police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident to our reporter but could not give the actual number of persons arrested.“I don’t have the details of the actual number of persons arrested right now,” she said. “When I get the full details I will let you know.”The police in Enugu said they arrested 15 members of MASSOB who were on a peaceful march in the state.A statement by the spokesman of the command, Ebere Amaraizu, said they were arrested around Obiagu/Afia Nine axis of Ogui in Enugu State.The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, as warning against any act by any group capable of disrupting the peace in the state.According the commissioner of police, anybody or group of persons caught will be made to face the full weight of the law.Mr Mohammed gave the warning at the police command headquarters Enugu while reacting to the arrests.He said they were arrested within Enugu metropolis “for disruption of peace”.He, however, used the opportunity to advise members of the public to be law abiding and go about their normal lawful businesses without fear of intimidation or molestation.He said the command’s operatives were working in partnership with other security agencies to secure the city.In Anambra, spokesman of the group, Chris Muocha, said the police attacked them as they were getting set to commence the march in Ontsha. He said five of their members were killed and many others injured.He said many others were also arrested and whisked away.But,  could not independently confirm the incident.The police spokesman in the state, Haruna Mohammed, told PREMIUM TIMES he was not aware of any clash anywhere in the state.He, however, asked the reporter to give him time to find out if there was any clash with the group promising to get back to the reporter later.He was yet to do so at press time.He also did not pick subsequent calls placed to his phone line at the time of filling this report.MASSOB is advocating for an independent Igbo populated country. It is, however, separate from IPOB, another pro-Biafra group, that has been dubbed a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian government.

God’s time for independence of Igbo nation is now, no man can stop it – MASSOB

MASSOB’s zonal leader in Cross River State, Samuel Okah made the declaration while speaking in Ikom, on Tuesday.Okah said, “There is widespread consciousness of the existence of Biafra and no matter how much they try to intimate us by killing, arresting and imprisoning us, we know there is a Biafra consciousness in everyone in the regions of the South South and South East and no government can be stronger than such.The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, on Tuesday declared that it was now the God-ordained time for the independence of Biafra.“You can see the flags, the anthem, the zeal of the people that there are no more interested in the Nigeria nation where they have experienced nothing other than injustice, oppression and nepotism so it is time for the leaders of Nigeria to know that we have reached the time God designed for us to be independent.“I fought for Biafra during the civil war and now that we are using the peaceful means, we have attained more mileage than through the barrel of the gun and Biafra is ours to cherish We can be good neighbours with Nigeria, learn and lend to each other as partners through peaceful means not through violence

Breaking: Police arrest 50 MASSOB members in Aba

the MASSOB members were arrested at Osisioma Ngwa junction along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway More than 50 members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB) have been arrested by the police in Aba, Abia state. MASSOB had declared Tuesday, May 22, to celebrate the re-dedication of Biafra by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike at 175 Faults road, Aba, which took place in May 2000, Vanguard reports. According to reports, the MASSOB members were arrested at Osisioma Ngwa junction along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway when police patrol teams numbering over 15 fired tear gas canister towards their direction. Fred Onyenaucheya, the MASSOB leader for Abia south zone, kicked against the arrest of the activists, emphasising that the group will not be silenced by anyone. Onyenaucheya said: "MASSOB is a non violent organization.We are shocked that Police could tear gas and arrest our members who were only celebrating the rededication of the new Biafra. As at now ,over 20 of our members are receiving medical attention for injuries they sustained during the Police attack . "Even our female members were not spared.We have about 50 MASSOB members arrested by the Police.This is a grave infringement of our right to freedom of movement. But we assure the Nigerian government that no arrest,detention or any other form of intimidation will stop us from actualizing an independent state of Biafra.

Religious War Looms in Nigeria as Christian Body Count Climbs

BIAFRA NATION

both the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Christian Association are warning that if Sharibu dies in Boko Haram hands it could touch off a full-blown religious war. Nigeria is 50 percent Muslim, 40 percent Christian, and 10 percent indigenous beliefs.The fate of a 15-year-old Nigerian girl could decide whether sectarian war breaks out in Nigeria, authorities warn.

Boko Haram returned 105 of the 111 girls it had abducted in February — but Leah Sharibu was not among them. The reason: The extremists said she had refused to renounce her Christian faith.

“Leah Sharibu must not die,” declared CAN spokesman Adebayo Oladeji. “Her death, God forbid, can spell doom for Nigeria. It can give an open invitation to religious war because Leah is being detained purely because of her religion.” Bishop Emmah Isong of the Pentecostal Christian Association warned that “the peace of this country hangs on the federal government promise to secure the release of Leah Sharibu.”He added: “She has become an ambassador of Christianity to the Republic of Boko Haram and we are demanding that she returns home safely to her parents.”After Newsmax’s  and other outlets spotlighted the ongoing, mortal dangers that Christians face daily in Nigeria, President Donald Trump personally raised the issue during his April 30 meeting with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.In his remarks at a joint White House press conference, Mr. Trump unequivocally to President Buhari: “…we’re deeply concerned by religious violence in Nigeria, including the burning of churches, and the killing and persecution of Christians. It’s a horrible story. We encourage Nigeria and the federal, state, and local leaders to do everything in their power to immediately secure the affected communities and to protect innocent civilians of all faiths, including Muslims and including Christians.”It is highly unusual for an American president to speak publicly to a world leader in defense of Christians.No doubt one reason for Mr. Trump’s statement was another horrifying incident that had taken place just days before, in which two Catholic priests and more than a dozen of their parishioners were murdered.: “Father Moses Iorapuu, the director of communications for the Diocese of Makurdi, identified the murdered priests as Father Joseph Gor and Father Felix Tyolaha of St. Ignatius Catholic Church. The attack happened during the early morning Mass.”Prior to being murdered, Father Gor had written on Facebook: “Living in fear. The Fulani herdsmen are still around us in Mbalom. They refuse to go. They still go grazing around us. No weapons to depend on ourselves….’”Then, tragically, more anti-Christian violence struck another troubled African country on May 2A grenade-and-gunfire massacre took place during mass at Notre Dame de Fatima Roman Catholic church in the Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui.At least 26 worshippers were either slaughtered on the spot or died later in hospitals.: “Several thousand worshipers were at the church at the time, said Kessy Ekomo-Soignet, a grass-roots activist who runs a youth program in Bangui. The church’s priest, the Rev. Toungoumale Baba, was among the dead. To protest the violence, a large crowd carried Father Baba’s body to the presidential palace, witnesses said.”It was the second time Notre Dame de Fatima church has been violently attacked in the past four years, and the attacks were blamed on the outlawed Seleka Militia.While both Nigeria and the Central African Republic have become increasingly deadly neighborhoods for Christians, the international spotlight has shined brightest on Nigeria, where Boko Haram and Faluni Herdsmen have wrought havoc among Christian communities.I spoke to my colleague Nina Shea, Director of Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom, about these persistent and deadly attacks.“It is very significant that President Trump raised the issue of Christian persecution with Nigeria’s president,” Shea told me. “The State Department must incorporate the concern for Christian persecution in its Nigeria policies going forward.”Shea went on to say: “In both Nigeria and Central African Republic, churches, priests and pastors have become prime targets of these brutal Islamists.“The intensifying violence in Nigeria is the result of the growth of Boko Haram and other extreme Islamist influences, including ISIS. Their ideological goal is to fight and kill ‘infidels’ such as Christians, in order to eradicate Christianity and dominate other Muslims.“And it is demonstrably untrue that these attacks are simply a fight over resources and services as the Obama administration maintained. Boko Haram was one of the jihadi groups that joined in the Seleka Militia, which overthrew the government of the Central African Republic in 2013. Its disbanded members continue to strike Christians there.”It is indeed significant that President Trump spoke out in defense of Nigeria’s Christians. It is also noteworthy he recently brought up the case of unjustly imprisoned pastor Andrew Brunson to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.For those of us who write and speak and pray about the perils faced by millions of Christians and others in today’s troubled world, President Trump’s willingness to add his voice to ours is, frankly, an unexpected blessing.Along with countless people of prayer, and with those endangered believers, we are most grateful.